Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Simplifying Marriage

I am growing a bit weary of those who create a future wedding board on Pinterest. For those who are not avid pinners like myself, please let me explain. Girls (and perhaps a few guys) of all ages are creating collections of ideas and items they wish to include in their future weddings and saving them online for future references. There is just one thing missing from their collections: a significant other. Is anyone else seeing a major red flag? I understand that most girls spend a lot of time dreaming of their ideal ceremony from the moment they are very small until their actual wedding day. However, in my opinion, an elaborate wedding ceremony is entirely insignificant and quite frankly a total waste of money if the relationship between the two individuals eloping is not solid and loving. It will not matter if your bridesmaids wore Prada gowns or that your caterer served Baked Alaska if your relationship is not founded on love and is not long lasting.

Perhaps our divorce rates are so high because the emphasis of eloping is no longer on the individuals that are becoming one, but on the extravagance of the event. In addition, I believe that society's perception of marriage has become far too lax over the years. For example, if I find something while shopping that I am not sure that I will want to keep forever, I tend to buy it anyway, because I know that I am always able to return it if I decide that the item is not for me. However, I do not feel that this same concept should apply to an institution as special as marriage. Yet this has become the generally accepted principle for marriage, "We'll get married, and if it doesn't work out, we can always get a divorce." Marriage is intended to be a permanent promise, a vow that will exist for eternity, not a "we'll see" or a "maybe."

I know what you may be thinking, and yes, it may be extreme to imply that future marriage boards on Pinterest are contributing to high divorce rates. However, I do not think it is unwise to suggest that we spend our time perfecting the details of our relationships as opposed to perfecting the details of our wedding ceremonies. Because again, a fantastic wedding ceremony means nothing if it the two persons getting married are not committed until death do them part.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

The Wonderful World of Walmart

Friends, Romans, Countrymen! Lend me your ears :) I, Samantha Peer, have joined the blogging world. Though I am only nineteen years young, I never thought I would live to see the day. Those that know me are well aware that I am not exactly what one would call "tech- savvy." I am centuries behind my peers in terms of technology. However, it is a new year and the possibilities are endless!

So, shall I begin my brand new, big girl blog with a word of advice? Or perhaps a refreshing outlook on a controversial topic? Or potentially an introduction to my love/hate relationship with Walmart? Yeah, lets go with that.

This may seem like a random topic, but after my extremely humbling shopping experience at the one and only Wally World today, I felt it necessary to expel upon the pros and cons of being a Walmart shopper.

On the one hand, I truly am amazed by the way Walmart operates. I have literally spent hours pondering how Walmart is able to keep their prices so extremely low in comparison to competitors. I am sure there is some corruption behind their production process, but I will get to the trash talking of Walmart later. For now, lets focus on the positive.Not only are their prices low, but they will price match anything! How can you even compete with that? I honestly cannot comprehend how any other store exists. I mean it's not like they are lacking variety; their shelves are full of options! In most instances, one trip to Walmart supplies all my needs. (Please excuse me if I sounded like the PR girl. What can I say? I am a Public Relations major.)

However, I really do not know how Walmart employees maintain their sanity. I mean does anyone else experience great hostility from their fellow Walmart shoppers? Today, as I was walking into Walmart, I noticed that I was surrounded by stressed shoppers. You know how Disney World is referred to as the happiest place on earth? I think Walmart should be labeled as the most stressful place on earth.. Apart from the dentist. I mean it. The whole shopping experience can really take a toll on a person. From dodging pedestrians and fighting motorists in order to get a decent parking space to trying to fit a shopping cart into a packed isle only to wait fifteen minutes when you are finished to check out so you can attempt to safely leave the parking lot without getting into an altercation or accident, a Walmart trip can truly be brutal. Like I said, it really is a humbling experience.

I know what you may suggest.. Simply going at another time, right?  Wrong. I have found that the only time Walmart is not crowded is between the hours of 10 p.m. to 9 a.m., and I would not suggest going at these hours, especially not alone! Not to pass judgment, but the Walmart patrons during these hours are not the kind of individuals you would feel comfortable bumping into in a dark alley.

I suppose I can really offer no remedy. It is more of a suggestion to simply pick your poison. Either go elsewhere and pay more or stay and increase your inclination towards heart disease. As for me, I'll take my chances. After all, you really can't beat Walmart's low prices. However, I have a dream that one day that we will not have to sacrifice low prices for a calm shopping experience!