Today has been an interesting day to say the least. I walked my usual five miles and reached the road where I had parked my car. The street that I parked on had no cars on it except for mine and a 1990s Red Ford F-350 truck parked directly behind me. I found it bizarre that people would park right behind me, when I parked so far away from the trail entrance. Nevertheless, I started to walk toward my car and I noticed there were two guys sitting in the red car. I went ahead and I took a picture of the car behind mine and I decided to walk back to the trail entrance and wait for them to leave. A few minutes passed and they were still sitting there. A friendly old man walked by me and started a conversation. I told him what was going on and he offered to walk me to my car and I accepted. He said, "I'm going to hug you. Don't act freaked out." I pretended he was my dad and said, "Bye, Dad. Love you." I unlocked my car and started it. The second I turned my car on, I heard the truck behind me turn on. It had a really loud engine. I quickly made a u-turn and thanked the old man through the window. The red truck also made a u-turn and the old man yelled for me to go fast. I sped off as quick as I could and made sure to pull into a place where they wouldn't suspect where I was. Apparently that's something you're not supposed to do, but it saved me. I called the cops and they sent someone to me. I gave them the description of the car and of the driver. I got a really good glimpse of the driver and was able to describe him perfectly. It wasn't anyone I knew. I got a quick glimpse of the passenger, but not enough to really describe him well. The police officer thanked me for paying close attention and asked me to e-mail the picture of the truck to her.
I always pay attention on the trail to each person and I am constantly looking over my shoulder (something else you're not supposed to do). Now that I remember properly, I think I saw the truck drive by me when I was entering the trail. I am a bit shaken up. This isn't my first time at this rodeo. If you look back through my old posts, you'll see two other ones talking about other encounters that I've experienced. Luckily, I have come out okay of each situation unharmed, but that doesn't take away from how unsettling it feels to experience this.
The moral of the story, again, is to be aware of your surroundings and do not walk alone. I need to practice what I preach. I always nag at my little sister and tell her to be careful at her college and to be extremely careful about walking alone at certain places. Also, it is extremely important to not be looking down at your phone, but to always look people in the eye and pay attention as you walk. I'll be bringing my special friend, pepper spray, on my next walk and I won't be going to the same place for a while. I'd also like to give a shout out to my best friend, Melissa, who came over and calmed me down after this happened.
Update: Five days since the incident and I still haven't returned to the same place. I am still rather shaken by the whole thing. Having pepper spray doesn't make me feel any safer. If a bad guy was double my size and grabbed me what good would the pepper spray do? I am not going to live in fear because of my gender, but I am going to take extra precautions.
Here are some tips on what to do if you suspect you're being stalked...
http://lifehacker.com/5960699/how-to-tell-when-youre-being-followed-and-get-away-safely
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Things You Should Stop Doing By The Time You're 25
I saw a list of things you should stop doing by age 25 and I thought it was stupid, so I decided to make my own list.
1. Comparing Yourself/ Your Life to Others'
I've talked about this in another one of my posts, but honestly it's unhealthy to compare yourself to others. You don't have to do everything like everyone else. Someone got engaged, married, had a baby, moved in with their boyfriend, moved to Europe, got a $100k salary job? Great! Just live your life and good things will come to you if you stay positive. You don't have to follow a certain timeline or accomplish things at a certain time. Be happy for people.
2. Flaking Out On People
Don't commit to something or say you will do something if you don't want to to do it or if you know you won't be able to. If you're too busy or if something comes up, at least have the decency to tell them that instead of not showing up all together. I am not perfect, I've been a flake before, but I straight up tell people if I don't want to do something or if I won't be able to. I've never stood someone up. I have come to realize people will eventually give up on you if you always flake out. I am not a high maintenance friend but I believe in common courtesy. At the very least give people a heads up. Sometimes you're going to have to cancel, but that's different than constantly not showing up.
3. Taking Your Parents for Granted
You're getting older and so are your parents. You never know how much time you will have with them. Appreciate everything they have done/ do for you. Thank them. Call them. Take them out to eat. Visit them etc.
4. Playing Games (Dating wise)
I am so picky when it comes to dating that I don't just talk to anyone. I'm not a needy girl, I like to be single and don't need a relationship to be happy, but for the love of God don't play games if we start talking. I hate it when people play games. Just be real and be upfront. Don't take days to respond to texts. If you're not feeling it, be honest. That's all. Don't waste my time. Everyone checks their phone at least once a day. If you've got time for Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook, you've got time to send a darn text. We aren't in high school anymore, y'all. Games aren't cute.
5. Caring What People Think
I have altogether stopped caring about what people expect from me or think of me. It's my life to live and I'm going to do it my way. People always have the nerve to comment on my film industry work and how it's not stable income or a "real job." If they aren't your bills to pay, it's not your business. Don't worry about me. "Worry bout yo self." LOL
1. Comparing Yourself/ Your Life to Others'
I've talked about this in another one of my posts, but honestly it's unhealthy to compare yourself to others. You don't have to do everything like everyone else. Someone got engaged, married, had a baby, moved in with their boyfriend, moved to Europe, got a $100k salary job? Great! Just live your life and good things will come to you if you stay positive. You don't have to follow a certain timeline or accomplish things at a certain time. Be happy for people.
2. Flaking Out On People
Don't commit to something or say you will do something if you don't want to to do it or if you know you won't be able to. If you're too busy or if something comes up, at least have the decency to tell them that instead of not showing up all together. I am not perfect, I've been a flake before, but I straight up tell people if I don't want to do something or if I won't be able to. I've never stood someone up. I have come to realize people will eventually give up on you if you always flake out. I am not a high maintenance friend but I believe in common courtesy. At the very least give people a heads up. Sometimes you're going to have to cancel, but that's different than constantly not showing up.
3. Taking Your Parents for Granted
You're getting older and so are your parents. You never know how much time you will have with them. Appreciate everything they have done/ do for you. Thank them. Call them. Take them out to eat. Visit them etc.
4. Playing Games (Dating wise)
I am so picky when it comes to dating that I don't just talk to anyone. I'm not a needy girl, I like to be single and don't need a relationship to be happy, but for the love of God don't play games if we start talking. I hate it when people play games. Just be real and be upfront. Don't take days to respond to texts. If you're not feeling it, be honest. That's all. Don't waste my time. Everyone checks their phone at least once a day. If you've got time for Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook, you've got time to send a darn text. We aren't in high school anymore, y'all. Games aren't cute.
5. Caring What People Think
I have altogether stopped caring about what people expect from me or think of me. It's my life to live and I'm going to do it my way. People always have the nerve to comment on my film industry work and how it's not stable income or a "real job." If they aren't your bills to pay, it's not your business. Don't worry about me. "Worry bout yo self." LOL
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
50 Things That Make Me Happy
1. Hiking
2. Being outside
3. Spending time with family
4. People that say thank you
5. Buying books from the bookstore
6. Eating ethnic foods
7. Zombie movies
8. Riding bikes
9. Swimming
10. Kayaking
11. Going to the lake
12. Going to the beach
13. Going to the mountains
14. Appreciative people
15. Accepting people
16. Passionate people
17. Getting a handwritten note in the mail
18. Zumba class
19. Singing
20. Being in front of a video camera
21. Getting 10,000 steps a day in
22. Watching sunrises and sunsets
23. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep a day
24. When dogs greet you when you get home
25. Well-mannered people.
26. Getting popcorn and a coke slushy at the movies
27. Practicing French
28. Standing in on set
29. Hugs
30. Getting to the finish line after a race
31. Shopping at Tj Maxx and Marshall's
32. People who don't have to drink to have a good time
33. People who can have fun without going out
34. Optimists
35. Encouraging people
36. When people mind their own business
37. People that smile at strangers
38. The smell of fresh linens
39. Anything lavender scented
40. Musicals
41. When people don't count calories
42. Sweet tea
43. When you laugh uncontrollably and can't stop
44. Winning money off scratch-off tickets
45. Good dreams
46. Low maintenance friends
47. Word-search puzzles
48. Pinterest
49. Braves games
50. Cooking but having someone else do the dishes
2. Being outside
3. Spending time with family
4. People that say thank you
5. Buying books from the bookstore
6. Eating ethnic foods
7. Zombie movies
8. Riding bikes
9. Swimming
10. Kayaking
11. Going to the lake
12. Going to the beach
13. Going to the mountains
14. Appreciative people
15. Accepting people
16. Passionate people
17. Getting a handwritten note in the mail
18. Zumba class
19. Singing
20. Being in front of a video camera
21. Getting 10,000 steps a day in
22. Watching sunrises and sunsets
23. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep a day
24. When dogs greet you when you get home
25. Well-mannered people.
26. Getting popcorn and a coke slushy at the movies
27. Practicing French
28. Standing in on set
29. Hugs
30. Getting to the finish line after a race
31. Shopping at Tj Maxx and Marshall's
32. People who don't have to drink to have a good time
33. People who can have fun without going out
34. Optimists
35. Encouraging people
36. When people mind their own business
37. People that smile at strangers
38. The smell of fresh linens
39. Anything lavender scented
40. Musicals
41. When people don't count calories
42. Sweet tea
43. When you laugh uncontrollably and can't stop
44. Winning money off scratch-off tickets
45. Good dreams
46. Low maintenance friends
47. Word-search puzzles
48. Pinterest
49. Braves games
50. Cooking but having someone else do the dishes
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