Chivalry is Pretty Much Alive Dead (And So are Manners)

Chiv·al·ry 

 noun \ˈshi-vəl-rē\:  an honorable and polite way of behaving especially toward women.
Man·ner
 noun \ˈma-nər\: a person's outward bearing; way of speaking to and treating others.

     So opening doors and allowing ladies to go first may seem to be overrated nowadays, but no it should still exist. I can't tell you how many times I was the one who opened the door for everyone even when there was a guy present. Don't get me wrong I actually love to do it. It's weird because I am kind of obsessed with manners and stuff like that. And I'm not complaining about me physically opening the door, but the fact that some guys don't make an effort to do it at all is what bothers me. I think that the simple idea of treating a lady like a lady or even people like people is something that should never grow old. I mean if guys think that they are so manly then they should live up to it. (And this doesn't apply only to boys but also girls). I've seen so many guys just worry about themselves instead of being considerate of their "girl" friend. Not a girlfriend girlfriend, but a "girl" friend. Well I guess it could be a girlfriend girlfriend. Anyways, I'm not trying to bash boys or men, it's just that chivalry isn't that popular anymore. And sorry if any boys are offended but sometimes you guys act... well like boys. I mean girls love it when y'all are polite. Hey, you might even get a girl just by holding the door for her. I COULD HAVE JUST HELPED YOU FIND A WOMAN. You're welcome. 

     So manners. Yep that is slowly dying as well. Many people who know me probably know that I don't like rude people. Or rude strangers to be more exact. I just think that the idea of not having manners is preposterous. Like a little while ago, I was at the movies and my friend just kept spilling popcorn everywhere so I told him to be careful. Then he just kept on throwing popcorn on the floor on purpose. He said that there are people meant to clean the mess so who cares? I guess this situation would fall better under the idea of being considerate, but that is an aspect of manners too. So alright I understand that there are people who are paid to clean the mess up, but why would you make a mess on purpose? Like seriously. I mean I doubt that the people who clean up at the movie theater love doing their job. Why would you want to purposefully make their job any harder? And even after the movie, I picked up our popcorn bag to throw away, and he told me to just leave it on the floor. I said no I'll throw it away, but then he asked why? I guessed he felt bad after asking that because then he said he would throw it away. But I said no and that I would. And that kind of went back and forth for like thirty seconds. A very awkward but tense thirty seconds at that. (Nothing personal against my friend btw). Being considerate, that's all I ask. Even a simple thank you just shows that you respect people. Don't you want others to respect you? I mean when people don't have manners, it just blows my mind. Brain splatter everywhere. 

     I really really love it when people are simply nice to others. It just shows that they actually care about someone other than themselves. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of well mannered people I know but there are also some that aren't. And I'm not always nice to everyone either. I can be a jerk sometimes too. I'm not trying to be Jane the innocent or anything. But if you are considerate and respectful towards other, I pretty much love you. Thanks for keeping chivalry and manners somewhat alive. 

-Janey 

D'Erika.

    So today I'm going to blog about my best friend D'Erika. I feel like she deserves to be blogged about since she is a big part of my life. So I first met D', sophomore year of high school. I used to be a pretty shy person, until I became friends with her (And that's a good thing). Somehow we had all but two classes with each other. I mean that's pretty crazy right?! And since we had almost every class together, I think that we were bound to be best friends. It was a sign from God, I'm telling you. Haha ha h....

     D' is one of the few people in my life that I have ever really opened up to. Believe me, I am a pretty secretive person at times. I just don't really like talking about myself personally. I can't really describe why. I'm like a book with faded pages. You can kind of read into me, but not that easily. Wow Jane that was pretty poetic of you. *snaps for Jane* And now you're talking about yourself on a blog post about your best friend. Ok let me get back on track... So yeah, I find it really comfortable to talk with D about what's on my mind. And that's something really really valuable to me. Although sometimes we may be too comfortable with each other... I won't really elaborate on that.

     As you probably have read in my last post, I am a pretty proud Christian. And I owe a lot of that to D'Erika (And God of course). If I had never met her, I would have never gone to Phoenix and get saved. I can't thank her enough for that. Ever since the first time I've gone to Phoenix, nothing has been the same. But in a good way of course. And what really reeled me into the whole "church" thing was due to how passionate D' was about her faith. I was really inspired by her and what she did for God.

     Honestly, I've never really had a friend like D' before. Even a best friend at that. I've always had "friends," but never someone who I was extremely close with. I know that sounds lame but it's true. I guess I just found it really hard to completely connect with another person. But for some odd reason, I got along really well with a girl who has a cool name. So D' is probably the most motivated and headstrong person I know. When she want's to do something, she wont quit until she's accomplished it. For example, she recited the entire chapter of Romans 8 in the Bible. That's 39 verses... She's like Barney Stinson from HIMYM. When there's a challenge, she accepts it. Challenge accepted. But seriously, that's a really difficult thing to accomplish. Other than motivated, she's also really caring and knowledgeable too. When I need help, she's there to pick me up. And I know she'll always listen to me when I need advice. Oh and btw she has really awesome advice. Haha. I can't even remember how many times I've felt better or made a right decision based on just the words that came out of her mouth and her actions. She even took me out for dinner once and got ice-cream because I was trying to get over a guy! Let's just say after that, I built a bridge, and got over it. I'm pretty sure she deserves the bestest best friend award, although that doesn't really exist. What the heck it does now. Jane Yang just created an award. Mark this day in  history people.

     So I just wanted to thank D' for being a great best friend. Words can't fully describe how thankful I am that she's in my life. She has really influenced me to just be a better person. She's done so much for me and I can't ever repay her enough. Her and her family are very dear to my heart and I love them so much. I've never really known what it was like to have someone there for me all the time, no matter what. But ever since I met D'Erika, I've never been alone. Wow I sound like a loser but who cares. So thanks D'Erika for being an amazing friend. I love you and hope that we can stay friends and make more inside jokes in the future because they're fun.

-Janey

I Was Sixteen Now Going on Seventeen

Friday at Chipotle

     I have finally turned seventeen today! (Well I started this draft on the 16th) Woah I feel so old now. I'm one year away from being an adult and having actual responsibilities. How scary. So far my birthday has been amazing. Well really my birthday was celebrated over this whole weekend. On Friday I was totally surprised by all of my wonderful, amazing friends at Chipotle. D'Erika got everyone to come and surprise me there. At first I didn't really know that everyone was there. The first person I saw was Will and I just assumed he was there to eat food too. But then I saw Glenn and everyone else and I finally understood what was happening! It was actually the best day ever. I spent the night with good company, frozen yogurt, and some apple pie. Oh and thanks Austin for the pie. It was pretty clever of you to buy it since it was pi day. So anywayssssss, we all played hide and go seek. Well Glenn, D'Erika, Will, and I just kind of talked for a little while since no one seemed to be looking for us, while we were playing. I really enjoyed the four of us talking because I got to spend more time with them than I usually do. Seriously we all need to talk again cause it was awesome man. A little while after that, everyone kind of met up again and we just talked until we had to go home. That was probably the best day out of this whole year so far. I had so much fun with everyone. Thank you D'Erika for getting everyone together just for my birthday. It means a lot to me. And  thanks to everyone that came. You guys are the best! 

Living it up at Toys R Us feat. Juliet

Saturday at Phoenix

     On Saturday I spent the day at the mall, Toys R Us, Target, Phoenix, and corners. So first I went to the mall with Juliet and we bought some stuff. And them we went to Target and Toys R Us. Juliet and I talked about our childhood while trying to ride the incredibly tiny bikes and skate boards. That was actually a lot of fun and I got to catch up a little with Juliet since I haven't really hung out with her one on one. Then I went to Phoenix which is where I always go on Saturday nights. It's pretty much the best place ever. I haven't missed a week since February of 2013. That sounds kind of sad, but there is something about praising God and learning more about him that makes me feel joy. I know that idea is sometimes hard for people to understand, and that's why I think that they should come. You have to start somewhere. Sorry I digress. Anyways, at Phoenix I was surprised with a giant cheesecake filled cake which was awesome! D'Erika tried to make it a surprise but I ended up waiting in front of everyone for a long, awkward time haha. But still thanks D'Erika and the Arboledas. You guys even made pasta for Phoenix because it is my favorite food! So after Phoenix, I went to the usual place where we all hang out: Fairfax Corners. We played hide and go seek and it was really fun. Miguel was there! P.s. Migs, I'm really glad you started coming to Phoenix and now hang out with me and my friends. I love it when you're there. 

Snow Tramps?

#selfie 

     Sunday, the day of my birthday, I went to church and taught the 5th and 6th graders about JESUS. It was great spending my birthday with them. They all knew it was my birthday and they sang to me! I love spending my Sunday afternoons reading the Bible and playing games with them. But besides that, a girl in my class named Jordan got baptized!! And it was on my birthday!!! Her "birth" day is now on my birthday. It was such an awesome thing seeing a young girl make her faith public. I was so proud of her. After church I went to Austins house with D'Erika, Geni, Christine, and Thomas. It was really fun because we all jumped on his trampoline while it was snowing. Oh and his home schooled friend Will was also there, and he seemed nice. He joked a lot about public school kids like we joke about home schooled kids. It was funny. He was cool but I'm not sure he really liked me. He couldn't even remember my name. How rudee! Haha well later on we all found out that there was no school which was the best news ever! So basically that was how my birthday weekend was like. I spent it with all of my friends over a span of three days. It was the most legend wait for it dary weekend of my life. Again thanks for everyone who was there. I love you guys a lot. And now that I'm seventeen, I can watch rated R movies. Woo!!!

-Janey