Public Displays of Love...

Hey peeps! I wasn't sure what I was going to write about today, but when I opened up my email and *poof* a topic was right there....YAY!

Let me provide some background, so that we'll all be on the same page. I'm a member of a co-ed service fraternity. My boyfriend pledged at a different chapter, but is also member of this fraternity (and a social fraternity), and we have other friends that are dating that are also members. I say all this to say it is not uncommon for Brothers (males and females of the fraternity are called brothers) to date one another. Quite often Brothers from the same chapters will date....we do spend A LOT of time together, so it's bound to happen. However, my boyfriend is from a different chapter. Anyway, as a member of a Greek Letter Organization (GLO) many members opt to get paraphernalia to show the pride they have in their organization. I have 2 jackets that I love and that represent me. I have several shirts and a key chain also. My boyfriend and I have pictures that have been photo-shopped and I want to get a paddle together. Items like jackets and shirts are mostly personalized with information pertaining to the person wearing. Items like key chains, paddles, license plates, and house mats are sometimes split to represent two people dating.

Okay, soooo here's the story--I know a couple (that I LOVE very much) in the process of purchasing a fraternity jacket representing both of them...which they plan to share! Though the jacket is very nice in a design sense I personally would not make this choice in my relationship....or for my pocket. I mean obviously people have a right to do whatever it is they want, but my initial thought was, "Who gets the jacket if they break up?"This led me to thinking about people who get their bf/gf name's tattooed on them. It's is something seen all the time with celebrities...and us regular folk alike. And no a jacket isn't permanent like a tattoo, but I just think there many ways to express the love you have for a person that don't involve spending unnecessary amounts of money or getting things that are basically permanent. If a break up happens then the same feeling of regret is there.

I'm sure we've all heard the "myth" of how it is bad luck to get someone's name tattooed on you. And though I put myth in quotes I have seen it proven true...on several occasions. I'm sure there are plenty of instances of couples that don't break up after being tattooed. And yes, I have even thought about getting my boyfriend's name tattooed on me (and him getting mine on him), but this is something we'd do once we were married, and it's more likely to be a symbol that represents our union (so if we break up we can lie to people about what it means...LOL!) BUT it is still VERY risky decision. And a decisions that would come after years of being together.

My grandparents love each other more than any other couple I know and they don't have each other's names tattooed on them. Does that mean that Jane and John (or Tyrone and Tameka...lol) love each other more than my grandparents love each because Jane and John get tattoos? Absolutely not. I know my grandfather loves my grandmother because he still holds her hand after recently celebrating 47 years of marriage. I know they love each other because my grandmother still looks at him with a glimmer in her eyes.

I respect every couple's right (especially this one because I know them personally) to express their love in any way they feel, BUT since this is my blog and I'm the Ace of Rambles I'm going to say that I disagree. There are other ways to express your undying love that don't involve ink....or thread :-)

-Ace of Rambles

Mz. Independent???

So, as I stated in my last post I recently re-injured a foot that I previously had sprained, and because of this the doctor has put me on crutches for 1 to 3 weeks. This means I have to depend more on other people to help me get around. I'm not completely excited by this...or very comfortable. My boyfriend has been very attentive today and I appreciate all he has done, but having to ask him to do simple things (i.e. get me a cup of water, heat up my food, hand me the remote) because it is really difficult or painful for me to do myself makes me uncomfortable...kinda. A part of me is saying that I shouldn't feel uncomfortable asking the man I see my future with for help, but the other part is saying that having to ask him makes me feel like I'm giving up independence, which is SCARY!

I think anytime that I HAVE to have someone do something for me scares me. Asking people for help is something that really has a physical effect on me. My stomach gets all tied up and my heart races. I don't know if the anxiety comes from them rejecting me or them having this power over me that now I owe them something....maybe it's a combination of both. I don't usually get this feeling with simple tasks like the ones I describe above, but often times with tasks that hold more stake or can be seen as more bothersome...like a ride somewhere or borrowing $5.

I heard somewhere that a truly strong person knows how and when to ask for help. I cant say that I completely agree with this statement. I don't think of myself as a weak person overall though I may struggle with certain aspects of life. But who doesn't? I think that as a young adult (who often has been called spoiled...but that's another blog for another day) I have tried to truly stand on my own more and more over the last few years. And my standing on my own has truly affected all aspects of my life. I'm not the lioness hear me roar type of woman that will push a man out of the way to open my own door, but I am the type of woman that likes for my man to know I can bring just as much as he can to the table.

Independence? That's middle class blasphemy. We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth.--George Bernard Shaw

There is no such thing as being too independent.--Victoria Billings

Soooooo, which quote holds more truth??

-Ace of Rambles

No Longer a Blogging Virgin!

First, let me thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I'm very excited to be doing this blog. I love reading blogs, as wells as writing so I figured I'd take a stab at having my own blog.

I named this blog (with the help of my boyfriend) Up Close & IntraPersonal because I plan to use this blog as a tool of not only communicating, but also to evaluate myself, my thoughts, ideas, and life. I hope that you will join this conversation by commenting and providing feedback. :-)

As stated, I really love reading blogs, which means often times I'll probably post things that I see on other blogs. Such as this post. Girl, Uninterrupted is a frat brother of mine and very close friend. I often read her blog and I am amazed and inspired by her strength.

So, as I sit here with my foot propped up (I suffered a "severe contusion" today on a foot that I had previously sprained) I am thinking of all the wonderful things I plan to share with you all on this journey and I hope you will join me....

-Ace of Rambles