Read This Please

Bill Gates Speech: 11 Rules Your Kids Did Not And Will Not Learn In School

.Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one!

*   *   *

Kinda makes ya think doesn't it?   Until next time,

Kristyn Z 

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KEEP RISING TO THE TOP AND REACHING FOR THE STARS...

Don't let anyone put out your fire!  Walk in the path God has chosen for you.  But remember, beauty is what is found INSIDE.  The outside is just a bonus.  Now, let your light shine 'round the world.  


Until next time,
Kristyn Z

Back to School with this Thought!

"A girl should be two
things....classy and
fabulous" ~ Coco Chanel


BTW, I agree.  My junior year in high school is going to be a lot of fun!  Hope you're as excited about getting back as I am today.  It's been a great summer.


Until next time,


Kristyn Z

Believe in Yourself /Have Faith in Your Abilities

Two very important statements aren't they?  If you BELIEVE IN YOURSELF and we've talked about that a lot in the past here and HAVE FAITH IN YOUR ABILITIES, sooner or later you will accomplish your goals in life!  But you've got to have a plan as well.  It's real good to motivate yourself with a positive mindset BUT nothing in the world can replace PLANNING and HARD WORK when it comes to achieving your goals.  My goal is to represent Delaware and win a Miss USA title someday soon.  I've been working real hard since my first attempt last year where I was fortunate to be the 4th Runner Up in the Miss Delaware Teen USA Pageant. 

Since then, I've competed in several pageants in an effort to build up my ability to present myself appropriately and contend for another shot at the Miss Delaware Teen USA title.  Most recently, I was fortunate to be among the 6 Finalists at the Miss Teen All American Pageant together with Miss Aloha Ashlee Kozuma who won that presitigious title from Hawaii, Kelsey Landy a multiple Miss Pennsylvania Teen World, Teen Coed and Perfect Teen, the 2009 Miss ConneticutTeen USA title holder Tiffany Texiera, the 2009 Oklahoma Teen USA title holder Chelsea Colvard and the 2009 Kansas Teen Title Holder Alexis Rewalt!  As the youngest contestant I can tell you I learned a lot from these fine young women some of whom will be 20 years old this year!  But more important I learned so much from my mentor Nicole Bosso, Miss Delaware USA 2007 and coach Vincenza Carrieri Russo, Miss Delaware USA 2008 and dear friend and supporter Ashley James, Miss Delaware Teen USA 2005.   They all taught me to PLAN TO WIN then WORK MY PLAN. 

So even though you've got to BELIEVE IN YOURSELF and HAVE FAITH IN YOUR ABILITIES, listen carefully please never forget to PLAN YOUR WORK and WORK YOUR PLAN!

Until next time...

Kristyn Z

Living Your Dream

"GO CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR DREAMS!  LIVE THE LIFE YOU'VE IMAGINED."  - THOREAU

Until next time...

Kristyn Z

Preparation

In getting ready to compete in the Miss Teen All American Pageant I've been fortunate to learn a critical lesson; GETTING THINGS DONE ON YOUR TO DO LIST.  Let me quote my pageant coach, Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, Miss Delaware 2008 so you can understand where this lesson started.  Vincenza has taught me:

 "It's better to be busy than be bored."

And so much like her my favorite way to spend my last few weeks have been checking things off my TO DO list, and there's been plenty!  Thanks Vincenza for becoming a part of my life.

Until next time...  Kristyn Zd raI’d rather have a productive day checking things off of my “To Do List,” because I’m very goal-oriented. My motto is "Better be busy than be bored!her have a productive day checking things off of my “To Do List,” because I’m very goal-oriented. My motto is "Better be busy than be bored!” 

WINNERS NEVER QUIT

"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative."  

- W. Clement Stone


Okay so, I'm in my final week of preparations for the Teen All American Pageant. Both, excited and a bit tired from working hard anticipating the upcoming national competition there are plenty of things that could make anyone fear the event itself.  But, I can tell you this much it makes me work harder.  I actually enjoy the nervous butterflies in my stomach and can't wait get up on that stage with all the other beautiful girls from all over the United States!


Life is a challenge, you can either meet it or run away!  Philadelphia here I come...


Until next time,


Kristyn Z

ADVERSITY

adversity [ədˈvɜːsɪtɪ]

n pl -ties

1. distress; affliction; hardship

2. an unfortunate event or incident

TIPS ON DEALING WITH ADVERSITY by William Larson, Phd

Here are some tips that you should consider implementing today. Do not wait until the next time one of life's storms blows your way. You will be astounded at the difference these simple changes can make in your life and how they will enable you bravely to turn adversity into opportunity.

1. Erase the negativity: Avoid allowing someone's past experience to influence you in your present situation. So often when adversity strikes, friends and relatives cannot wait to tell you how devastatingly similar our situation is to one they endured. Not meaning to be negative, they tell you how they may never fully recover from their adversity, but hope things go better for you.

Then, as if to add a note of spirituality and hope, they assure you they will keep you in their prayers, (all of which sounds nice but often means they think you will probably not survive the adversity without direct intervention from the Almighty). Combine the negative thoughts expressed by others with the negativity you already feel, and you have a recipe for real disaster.

Whenever you encounter negative words from others, overrule them just as a judge overrules an objection made in court. He simply throws the objection out and warns the jury to disregard it. That is just what you need to do: overrule the negativity and throw it out. "I simply refuse to think that way" is a good response next time someone attempts to plant negative seeds in your life.

Take control of your thoughts and refuse to allow seeds of negativity to take root and grow in your life. Turn them away when they arrive at your mind's front door. Just do not accept delivery. You are, after all, in charge of your thoughts, so take charge.

2. Remember to look at the Big Picture: Napoleon Hill said, "Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve." Unfortunately, most people confronted with adversity can only envision themselves in the middle of trouble. If they attempt to look forward, they envision only the worst, and never the best, of what the future could hold.

Instead, next time trouble invades your life, keep your eyes on the big picture. Envision a time in your future when whatever the adversity you now face will be past and that it has actually helped you achieve a new level of success. Think about it. Feel it in your being. Keep the vision alive. Let it become so real that it is almost seems like an accomplished fact.

One of the greatest principles in the universe is the Law of Prosperity and Success. This incredible law has stood the test of time, proving repeatedly that we become what we define ourselves to be; we become our own mental picture of ourselves. Think of how amazing that is. Think of the control that gives us in moulding and shaping our lives.

Marcus Aurelius understood that immutable law. He said, "A (person's) life is what their thoughts make it."
Ralph Waldo Emerson understood the law also. He wrote, "A man is what he thinks about all day long."
The Bible also teaches the same truth, "What a (person) thinks in their heart, so do they become." (Proverbs 23:7)

The Law of Prosperity and Success directs that while there are many things in life you cannot decide, your level of success is not one of them.

However, remember, this timeless law is a two-edged sword. By continuing to see yourself as a failure, as someone too inept to deal with life's problems, or as someone who is not smart enough, good looking enough, witty enough, charismatic enough, or worthy enough, you will achieve the status you have envisioned. How you mentally see yourself is a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Do not make the mistake of letting adversity define you. Keep the big picture always in view.
It is as if God has set success and failure before you and asks you to choose which one you want for your life. The ball is in your court. It is up to you.

3. Use visual reminders of your dreams. You may be wondering how it is possible to create and retain a positive image of yourself and your future. Try this:

Cut out pictures of what your successful life will look like once you have achieved it. Make them colourful pictures of the things that really represent success to you.

Put them up throughout your house, especially in places where you will look at them often. For example, a bathroom mirror is a great place to hang a few of them. Not only can you see the pictures, you can see yourself in the mirror so you can remind yourself that "this is where I'm headed; this is where I want to be."

You will be amazed at how powerful colourful images that relate to your dreams and goals can inspire you, especially during times of adversity. They will help you to keep you vision positive by making it real.

4. Welcome to your future. Adversity is part of life, but it does not have the ability to shape your future unless you relinquish that privilege. Your power to determine your future success or failure is awesome.

I sincerely wish I had learned this powerful principle earlier in life. Nevertheless, regardless of age, each of us has something in common. We can determine our success or failure through the simple act of self-definition.

How will you choose to define yourself? Be specific. Do not use general terms combined with general visualizations. It is not enough to say, "I want to be rich and famous . . . or, I want to be the CEO of a major corporation."

Be your own Michelangelo. Be specific about each part of the future you are creating. For example, "I want to be known as a computer applications guru. I want to be one of the top five most knowledgeable people in the world when it comes to my niche. People will beat a pathway to my door just to seek my advice." What definition! That is exciting.

You and I have one more thing in common: Our future begins now. So, where are you headed? How have you chosen to define yourself?

Welcome to your future!

Until next time...

Kristyn Z.

BELIEVE

Short, sweet and simple today... Until next time,

Kristyn Z

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

“Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.”

- Khalil Gibran
 
And so while you're at a family holiday picnic, watching a 4th of July Parade or just kicking back and enjoying the long holiday, please don't forget...
 
 
 
... the men and women in our US Military and National Services around the world in harm's way, protecting the freedom to celebrate, relax and enjoy for us all.  Freedom isn't for free, is it?  It has to be fought for, won, held and preserved!

 
Until next time...
 
Kristyn Z

Everyone is Beautiful in Their Own Way

Kayla Martell, the new 2010 Miss Delaware America is one inspiring woman!  I'm awed by her.  She has done more for Delaware and beauty pageants than I could ever imagine and wish.  In an interview on The Insider TV Program tonight Kayla said, "Everyone is beautiful in their own way.  If you don't believe you're beautiful no one else will either."  Go Kayla.  Celebrate your Beauty!  I'm so proud to know you.  You inspire me and all of America.

Until next time,

Kristyn Z

I Believe in Miracles!

So I was checking out my sister's blogsite when I came across this picture of Audrey Hepburn and a quote I think everyone here might enjoy too.  She was a wonderful Hollywood actress and starred in one of my favorite movies; BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S.  Btw, my bedroom just got painted TIFFANY BLUE.

“I believe in manicures. I believe in wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”  — Audrey Hepburn

Until next time...

Kristyn Z

Happy Birthday Katie Z!

My sister Katie is 20 years old today!  She's not only beautiful, my best friend but is always there for me.  I love her and everything about her.

Happy Birthday Katie!

Kristyn

How Can YOU Start Celebrating Your Beauty?

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” — Lucille Ball

Until next time....

Love you all!

Kristyn Z.

In the Summertime...

... when the weather is hot, there are a few things I think are real cool and want to share with you, like the Atlantic Coastal Beach at Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware, my favorite spot in the world!

http://www.beach-net.com/ParkCH.html

A bit farther south, there's the Boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware with Dolles Salt Water Taffy. 

http://www.rehobothboardwalk.com/

I can tell you all there's nothing like a slice of Grotto's mouth watering Pizza when you're walking the boards in Rehoboth!

http://www.grottopizza.com/

And I can't leave Midway Speedway on Route 1 out of this post because I love racing around their track in a go-cart!

http://www.rehoboth.com/midwayspeedway/

So, how 'bout you? What are some of your all time favorite places and things to do in the summer?  You can post comments below.

Until next time...

Kristyn Z

Our Country Needs Strong and Good Leaders

"To lead people, walk beside them … As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate … When the best leader’s work is done the people say,  We did it ourselves!"

 - Lao-Tsu

Our country is experiencing tough times.  Especially now, we need leaders that don't just make a lot of empty campaign promises but actually have a record of working hard to help and inspire the people of our country in achieving their goals and dreams.  These are not easy times for sure, but with good counsel and great leadership the American people will rise to meet new challenges and perservere these hardships.  I believe our great nation because of the strength of our leaders and people will once again stand at the front of all other countries in the world soon enough!  As Delaware's Miss Teen All American, I'm fortunate to meet our State's political leadership at various events throughout the State.  Today I was fortunate to spend a few minutes with Congressman Mike Castle and our senior US Senator Tom Carper.  Both men took a personal interest in me as a high school student and wanted to know how I felt our country was doing.

One thing is certain, in Delaware we are very lucky to have men like Mike Castle and Tom Carper serving us.  I am proud to have gotten to know them and learned some important things from each of them today at the Delmarva Chicken Festival in Dover, Delaware.  Our economy in Delaware is dependent on agriculture.  Chicken farming is one of our State's major industries.  Most all of the corn and soybeans raised in Delaware stay in Delaware to feed the Purdue, Mountaire Farms and Holly Farm chicken flocks scheduled for American tables across the country.  Good luck and God speed to Mike Castle and Tom Carper as they work hard to represent the needs of Delawareans in Washington!

One thing for sure, don't ever be afraid to voice your opinion and be heard especially when you're in the company of our nation's leaders.  The United States is a democracy; "... by the people, of the people and for the people."  So get involved, our country needs us.  Your voice, opinion and vote counts!

And, oh by the way, please eat more chicken.   Not only is it nutritious and good for you BUT it helps the people of my state of Delaware!

Until next time...

Kristyn Z

THE WILL OF A CHAMPION

I learned a great lesson this weekend from my mentor, Nicole Bosso, 2007 Miss Delaware USA.  Nicole is a beauty queen in every sense of the word!  This year she set out to accomplish something no other woman in Delaware has done, win another Miss Delaware pageant crown, at the 2010 Miss Delaware America pageant at Dover Downs Hotel.  Out of all the contestants from around the State, Nicole got 3rd Runner Up.  The Miss America Pageant isn't just a beauty pageant, 35% of a contestant's score comes from a very challenging TALENT component.  Something Nicole never had to contend with in the Miss USA system of beauty pageants that were her domain!

Nicole worked long and hard to perfect a sizzling dance routine which surprised  everyone in attendance that doubted her.  But this weekend belonged to Kayla Martell, the new 2010 Miss Delaware America.  Kayla is a very special woman.  Beautiful, talented with an impressive history of national community service awards.  Kayla is a champion for people with alopecia, a dreadful hair loss syndrome.  She let everyone in the audience know she was wearing a wig and suffers with alopecia!  But that didn't stop her from competing for the title of Miss Delaware America over the last several years, UNTIL finally  she won the very coveted title.  What a thrill for Kayla and ALL OF US IN DELAWARE.  So here's what I learned from Nicole and Kayla.

By now you know I'm big on inspirational quotes and motivational sayings.  They help me contend with life's adversities and keep me on track in working towards my own goal of being a Miss Delaware USA someday in the future.  Vince Lombardi, the great football coach once said;

 “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.”

This weekend I got to see a great beauty queen's tremendous will to win which drove her over the last few months to perfect a dance routine catapulting her into a top 5 finish in a pageant that was not her specialty for sure.  I am constantly awed with Nicole Bosso!  And I got to see the great will and determination of Kayla Martell, the new Miss Delaware America as she overcame the odds of adversity and finally accomplished her dream! 

“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.”

- Vince Lombardi

Congratulations to Kayla Martell and Nicole Bosso, two beauty queens whom I'm very happy have touched my life in a special way!

Until next time...

Kristyn Z

Never Lose Sight of Your Goals

Okay, so you want something really bad and decide to make it one of your personal goals.  Now how do you keep yourself psyched up and on track to achieve it? 

The first step is WRITE DOWN YOUR GOAL.  It helps you believe it can come true.  "Seeing is believing!"  Then do something really simple attach a final date to your goal.  One month, one year, five years whatever it may be.  Next, put together a timeline and simple plan how you will accomplish your goal.  Take a look at and talk to some other people that have done what you intend to do and ask them how they did it?  Try to make a few friendships along the way with someone successful in accomplishing exactly what you are setting out to do.  They just may volunteer to help you do it.  Associating with winners in life is infectious. 

Some people say sucesss is the result of "preparation meeting luck"!  I say it's simple hard work or "planning your work and working your plan".  Just think how sweet it will be to realize your goal.  Seeing yourself being successful will help you enjoy and look forward to working towards acheiving your goal.   Everyone sympathizes with a loser BUT you can bet one thing; "everyone loves a winner"!  Do you want to win in life?

Here are a few tips from some experts that really work...

"Having goals in life is what makes the world go around. Everyone, yes everyone, has at least one goal. People need goals to survive, achieve, and to be successful. Goals are a thing all people need but yet often have a hard time sticking to them. If you mess up on our way to achieve a goal, you stop altogether or decide to start all over again. There are many tips to help you achieve small goals, all the way up to huge life goals that may take you years to reach. You must never lose sight of your goals as this will cause you to become discouraged and you may never reach them. The following six tips will help you to keep those goals within sight.

 Picture yourself achieving the goals, dream about the goal, imagine your life after the goal has been achieves. Maybe you want to lose one hundred pounds, well, imagine yourself one hundred pounds lighter and out shopping for new clothes. Try to concentrate on the positives rather than what has happened in the past to stop you from achieving your goal.


You will encounter people who will doubt you and they will voice it. Ignore those negative people and smile at them when they say something negative about your goal. Focus on proving them wrong. Imagine losing those one hundred pounds someone told you that you never would lose. Again imagine yourself walking up to them and seeing their face when they see the new you.


Form a group of your peers that are trying to reach a similar goal. Losing weight is a hard thing to do alone, maybe you have a couple of friends that all want to lose weight too. Their goals do not have to be exactly the same as yours for you to work together at achieving those goals. There are a lot of organizations out there that offer weight loss support. You can join these groups and be around people who are going through the same struggles or have gone through the same struggles to achieve their weight loss goals. Organizations are a good way to surround yourself with people who are trying to do what you are and also people who have achieved their goals and can share their experiences with you. Hearing how someone else achieved his or her goals is a huge boost of hope and will help keep you positive.

Another great is to find you a mentor to work with one on one. A mentor can help keep you focused and is also there to support you no matter when or where you need it. If you know someone who has reached a goal and you admire them for then ask them to be your mentor and help you learn how to reach your own goals. Your mentor does not need to be someone you that you see or even live near, you can communicate with him or her through writing and phone calls. Mentors are great because they have already overcome the obstacles that you will encounter on your journey to reach your goals and they can offer you great advice and insight as to how to overcome obstacles.


As you embark on your adventure to reach your goals, you need to not lose sight of you and your health. Do not jeopardize your own well being to achieve a goal. Take time out for you, even if it is only a few minutes, read a book, take a bubble bath. Do some relaxation methods or just sit and relax quietly for a couple minutes. Take this time to reflect on how you are doing and give yourself a pat on the back for sticking to your goal path.


And finally the biggest and most valuable tip is to do whatever you need to reach your goal. Just sitting and thinking about what you want to achieve is not going to get you there. You have to work at it and make it happen. If you take the needed steps and put these six tips to use then you will no doubt achieve whatever goal you set for yourself. Stay positive and work hard and your goal will become reality."

From SOLVEYOURPROBLEM.COM (Tip #2006)

Just remember this, you're never alone in this world.  There's always someone there to help you BUT you have to reach out and ask!

Until next time...

Kristyn Z

"DREAM IT, BELIEVE IT, ACHIEVE IT!"

I don't know where my title quote originated BUT I learned it from one of my favorite people and teachers, Nicole Bosso.  She is an inspiration to me.  Nicole taught me an important lesson that let me DREAM and ACHIEVE my goals, to believe in myself.  Now I want to return that favor and wish her GOOD LUCK in her upcoming bid to become Delaware's First DUAL Miss Delaware Title Holder.  Nicole is the 2007 Miss Delaware USA.  She is now competing for the 2010 Miss Delaware America crown. 

Even though there are some really talented and beautiful women competing for this year's title of Miss Delaware America and each one of them is a wonderful role model for teenagers like me, I don't know anyone in the whole world who could be better suited to be Delaware's first 2x Pageant Queen than my special friend and mentor, Nicole Bosso.  My heart is with her every step of her journey! 

Nicole here are some more neat inspirational quotes for you and everyone out there wanting to live their dreams.

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." ~ Anatole France

"Most people are not really free. They are confined by the niche in the world that they carve out for themselves. They limit themselves to fewer possibilities by the narrowness of their vision." ~ V. S. Naipaul

"Our imagination is the only limit to what we can hope to have in the future" ~ Charles F. Kettering

"Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Nobody succeeds beyond his or her wildest expectations unless he or she begins with some wild expectations." ~ Ralph Charell

"If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning." ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Until next time...

Kristyn Z

Seize the Moment!

“I remember one morning getting up at dawn, there was such a sense of possibility. You know that feeling? And I remember thinking to myself this is the beginning of happiness. This is where it starts and of course there will always be more. It never occurred to me it wasn’t the beginning. It was happiness. It was the moment. Right then.”

— The Hours
 
Relish every moment of your life.  Until next time...
 
Kristyn Z