What is a Debutante Ball?

On December 28th, I went to the Cary Debutante Ball. I got to bring out my junior prom dress out of retirement and spend the evening with my best friends from high school (see pictures). When I returned from a night of dancing and having a blast many of my friends left me messages on my computer. They all wondered what a Debutante Ball was...so I decided to give a little history lesson.








According to the good ole' Wikipedia, debutante is french for "female beginner." In the old days when a young woman in the upper class matured, usually around the late teens, she had her "debut." Basically, it was the family's way of presenting their daughter to public as a woman ready to marry. Obviously, that is not the reason to have a ball now-a-days. Otherwise, I would have NEVER DONE IT. I'm picking my husband, not my family haha.

Modern day Debs sort-of do it for fun. Many debutante organizations focus a lot on the families of young women. The Raleigh Debs, also known as North Carolina Debs, focus a lot on what is the family name. I am not completely sure, but I think you have to be a legacy to be a NC Deb.

I was a Cary Debutante in 2004, my senior year in high school. The Cary Debutante Society focuses solely on the young woman. The young woman had to be recommended by people in the community (teachers for example) to be invited to be a deb. Then the young woman applied to the society. The society looks at her grades, school activities, and involvement in the community. If they accept her, she will have her debut on December 28th of their senior year. The event itself is like a fairy tale.

The women all wear a white ball gown (aka a wedding dress) and are individually introduced to the attendees. They learn three different dances: ones as the debs themselves, one with their chief marshal (dad), and one with their marshal (a date or brother). They dance the waltz with their marshals. After all of that formal stuff, everyone eats a formal dinner then dances and celebrates with the band. It is REALLY FUN.

If you still don't understand, let me know. I got lots of pictures!

Election 2008...Seriously? Now?

I am not one to be obsessed with politics. I follow politics, but you will not see me write a lot about politics and political leaders because I think politics is a lot of bullsh*t...and I don't like bullsh*t. I used to think that I wanted to get into politics and do the cliche' "make a difference," but I learned that rarely happens. Getting elected is the only thing on the mind's of politicians...therefore they make decisions based on that fact - not doing what they really want to do. But anyways...I can't go too in-depth with that because that is not what I want to talk about now.

I went to Barnes and Nobles the other day with my family and I saw that this week's issue of "Newsweek" had pictures of Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama. There was some subtitle talking about the election that is...um...hmm...yea...almost TWO YEARS FROM NOW. Are you kidding me "Newsweek"?! I can't STAND political ads, and I can't believe they are already starting now. Lord help me...I am going to ban watching tv. Blockbuster here I come.

Now I don't know who I will be voting for in 2008 - my first presidential election haha - but I am not thinking about it now. Also, I know that our current president isn't the most favorite of presidents, but what about the Republicans o' Newsweek? Why isn't there any press about potential Republican candidates? What I've learned in journalism thus far is that you need both sides of the story. Quit being so liberal Mr. Media. How do you know that Hilary and Barack will be the two Dem's fighting for the top spot? I pray to GOD that Hilary doesn't win the Democratic nomination. I will surely not vote for her. Sorry...I love women's power...but she will not be a good first women's president.

I see myself as neither a Republican or Democrat...but literally splitting the two. As a matter of fact, most Americans are just like me (thanks to my Poli 41 class for that little fact). With that knowledge...you would think that Newsweek would mention the other side. So either write about both sides or don't write at all. I say DON'T WRITE...we're not even in 2007 yet!!!

This is how I feel about political articles being written now...BYAHHH...

Am I a Bad Child?

The Holiday Season. I love it. I really do. I love shopping for my family and friends, and I love to see their faces when they open up my presents. I love the great food so much that I find myself in the gym twice as much to compensate. I love seeing all of my family members that I do not get a chance to see that much during the year. I love everything about Christmas. So why am I sitting here counting down the hours until I am back in my apartment...away from my family?!

I am in Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been here since the 22nd, stuck in a small villa with my mom, stepdad, and brothers (well actually one of them escaped yesterday because he brought his car). I have horrible cabin fever. All we've done as a family is play Trivial Pursuit (I suck at that game I have learned), watch movies, and argue about stupid things that do not matter. Sounds like precious family time? Maybe...all I know is that I am ready for us to go our separate ways again. I've slept on a pull-out sofa that is the most uncomfortable thing, been woken up every morning by my parents insisting that I get up and get ready for the day, and if I don't want to do something they want to do - then I am "selfish." Why have vacations become more stressful than everyday life?

When I go to the beach, I don't have a lot planned. The only thing I know for sure is dinner plans...other then that - everything else is a "maybe." But that's not how the world works for my parents. We ALL have to go to the mall and/or movies, and we all have to play games together. It's forced family bonding...and it's stressful. My parents have such high expectations for things so that when we go on vacation we have to see EVERYTHING that place has to offer. You know those books that are named "100 Things To Do in _______", yea that's their vacation Bible. When you go on vacation - you need to chill out. Especially at Christmas-time...you need to remember what you are celebrating. I am not trying to have a religious moment, but you are celebrating your faith. You are celebrating your faith in your family, friends, and whatever you believe in above the clouds. You are celebrating life...so why yell at your child if they don't want to go shopping AGAIN?