Life Lesson #3: Themed parties are just an excuse to play dress-up.

My costumes might've changed since I was a wee one. Over the years, I've traded in my wonder girl dress, my batman cape, and my power ranger (pink, in case you were wondering) costume for new, more versatile, characters. However, even though I can't fit into my old poodle skirt anymore, I still feel like many things have never changed. And really, college is just an excuse to revert back to the olden days of dress-up. Except this time, many have a beer in hand.

Interestingly enough, many of my most notable costumes have been characters that I knew of when I was a kid. I've been Tinkerbelle AND Waldo (Where's Waldo, if you need more of a reference). I also still take the opportunity to occassionally add some glitter (only when the costume calls for it, of course) or get creative with the make-up, just like I did circa six years old. Even spandex seems to make its return.

A sub life lesson: the most ridiculous costume at a party instantly becomes the coolest kid in the room. If you don't know that then you have never had the most ridiculous costume, now have you? EVERYONE, ladies, men, strangers, friends, will tell you how awesome you are. Slowly, the parts of your costume that are easily disassembled will be taken and worn by others. For some reason that person is always sweaty. And you my friend, are a hero.

Get creative. Make a fool of yourself. Buy a hippo inner tube and watch the sparks fly.

Life Lesson #2: How to fake your adulthood.

At 18, you can vote. At 21, drink. These milestones are supposed to represent "adulthood," and yet plenty of us are hitting these benchmarks feeling like we still have a baby bottle in hand. Don't lie, you or someone you know still has that old glitter make-up or toy... I mean action figurines, somewhere in your room.

So what is it exactly that tips the scale? When do you go from being a child to being a grown-up?

People often point to many different events (buying a house, losing your virginity, going off to college) as the turning point, but I happen to believe that it's not that easy. Of course not, it's life, when is it ever that easy?

I have no quick and easy answer. I'm responsible, I know how to pay my bills on time and take care of my daily needs, yet I still enjoy jumping fences for that midnight swim like the adventurous kid I am. I'm not willing to give up that part of me, so I'm going to settle on "faking" it for a while. The solution? Balance, my friends.

1) There's facebook, and then there's linkedin.
"No adults allowed" is just not possible anymore, but there is clearly a social theme and professional theme to each of these Web sites. On linkedin.com, be prepared for Business Faith. She's got a growing list of experience and an education to match. On facebook.com however, well, Everyday Faith might've worn something silly to a themed party or climbed into a large bag. And there's photographic evidence to prove it. And while I could look stupid, and future employers might possibly see these glamorous moments, it's important to me to be myself. Just because I party does not mean I can't represent a business with class.
2) Today's day in the office can not handle last night's cleavage.
Perhaps "sexy" is best left out of the workplace. No other explanation needed.
3) Time to talk pretty.
Sometimes you meet those people that seem to speak two different languages: on and off the clock. When you're not working, feel free to use whatever colorful words you'd like. To each their own. But, when working, you're representing more than yourself, and your speech should match that.

College is a tricky and transitional time and there are no hard and fast rules. I love that.

Life Lesson #1: Always have a boyfriend when you move.

Trust me.

You may be able to handle taking out the trash, hosting your own party, or buying a car, but moving should not be a solo activity. It is at this point when you realize your biceps are no match for the bookshelf full of your favorite Jane Austen novels or the ridiculous amount of kitchenware you have acquired (and I can't even cook!).

So what's the solution? As I see it, there are three:

1) Look ahead.
Your lease will be up in a few weeks, and yet you sleep alone at night. Show a little leg, hit up those ladies' nights, and get yourself a boy toy. This, however, is my least favorite alternative. First of all, let's not be selfish, this guy has some feelings too. He probably doesn't want to just be a piece of meat, even if that meat is genetically created to lug your antique dresser from point A to point B. Plus, you have to put up with him in between and find a semi-appropriate reason to break up afterwards.
2) Grin and bear it.
Yes, Miss Independent, as Ne-Yo says, you are "fly effortlessly." So why does that have to change on moving day? Throw that beautiful mane in a ponytail and pull out the boxes. Never taken down a fan before? There's probably something on youtube to help. Curious about how to gracefully move the trunk down the stairs? You'll find a way. You always do.
3) What are gay best friends for?
They don't get the wrong idea and yet they still can bench press you! In my experience they will sometimes be less dependable then, say, someone that wants down your pants, but they can also make you laugh the entire time you're trying to fit all your pillows into your backseat.

When your next moving day rolls around, be prepared ladies. Because who really wants to be alone when you finally knock the suitcase off the top shelf of your closet and it all comes tumbling down?

Crossing the Line

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/technology/internet/27twitter.html

Seriously?

I know I need to suck it up and move on, but I don't get Twitter. I'm not a fan of the concept; the thought of having my every action recorded for others' knowledge pains me.

Not only is it happening, it's expected now for celebrities and other well-known personalities to do so. If you read the article I linked up top, it talks about celebrity twittering, or at least twitters on their behalf.

You see, 50 cent doesn't have the time to send updates every two minutes, so he has someone doing it for him (probably best-- I can only imagine the profound twitters 50 would make). So does Obama. And Britney.

The entire purpose of this Web site, though, is to gain a new level of intimacy with these people. Don't you lose that if they aren't doing it in the first place?

Interning... the wave of the future.

It's 7:30 a.m.

Is my alarm clock really going off?

I'm a college student! I thought I wasn't allowed to see 7:30 in the morning!

Welcome to the world of interning. Maybe it's not the real world, but it's one step closer.

While internships may pull us kicking and screaming into the structured world of pin-striped suits and business totes, it comes with huge payoffs. Trust me.

Professionals encourage students to complete 2-3 internships before graduating. In fact, interning is built into the curriculum for public relations majors.

As a junior, I am currently beginning my first internship. Sometimes I feel like interning takes up time that I don't really have in the first place, but the work I am doing now will get me further in the future.

Also, I'm an environment that was created for learning. While I'm expected to give my best effort, my boss also knows that this is the first time taking my skills out of the classroom. Mistakes happen. Internships are the place to make them.

Go. Get an internship. It will give you an edge on your competition. And, as we will be entering the workforce at a time of dwindling jobs, it is important to stand out as much as possible.

That elusive Christmas spirit

Here we are, four days shy of the big day, and I'm still an eggnog or two away from getting on the Christmas bandwagon.

I can't believe it's so close. And I have no feeling. It just completely snuck up on me.

I'm back at home with the family, and our tree's up. I've bought pretty much all my presents... I don't know what's wrong with me.

At Outback last night a guy that was a regular of mine over the summer gave me a $50 tip. Amazing. Despite my struggle to be one with the holiday season, that gift meant so incredibly much.

I'm working every night till Christmas Eve, but I'm going to do what I can to catch up! Fancy dinners with the family, driving around to look at the lights, all the good stuff.

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Benjamin

Some people have crushes on Johnny Depp. Certainly, the current following is foaming at the mouth for a certain teenage vampire. (What type of name is Edward Cullen, anyway?)

These trends will pass, but my love for Benjamin Franklin is eternal.

That's right. I have a big, fat, history crush on the ultimate Renaissance man.

It started when I was about 15. I was in English class, we were studying the literature that was first coming out of the United States, and we worked our ways to the Franklin days. I haven't really left it since.

I know it's amusing. I just love what I read about him! He is the most well-rounded individual, and his humor has survived HUNDREDS of years! How cool is that? I mean, I don't even know if I can properly communicate and be funny over my writing, but you can almost see the twinkle in his eye when you read his musings. Genius.

So let me have my crush. It sure beats the hell out of the Jonas Brothers.