I am NOT a Complex Person...

Anyone who has been a continued reader of my blog or anyone who has regular conversations with me on a daily basis knows that from the very beginning I have always been a person of complexity. I think complex thoughts, create complex ideas, and just enjoy the depths and meaning that this complexity gives me. I define myself with the word complex, not mature, not wise...complex.

Just recently, I came to a discovery. I am not complex at all. Just human. 

It all started in the beginning of high school. Freshman year. I was still in the process of understanding more about myself and I had a few different groups of friends I accompanied myself with. One group of friends was a trio of punk/rock band-loving girls who wore dark make-up, wore band branded t-shirts & ripped jeans, and had a new piercing on their face every other week. I wasn't a fan of punk/rock music and I did not own anything in my closet that was even remotely similar to their style, but I somehow still managed to create a place for myself in the group. As a matter of fact when I used to hang out with this group of friends, while they were all wearing black and white, I stood out in a pretty pink blouse and plain ol' jeans. 

Another group of friends did not actually have a distinct type of profile which I can describe. This group of friends dressed similar to me, liked some of the music I liked, and never wore much make-up. Ironically, although I had more in common with this group of friends, I spent most of my time with the other groups of friends.

The last group of friends I used to accompany myself with can only be described as outgoing. This group was very social and liked to go out a lot whether that would be hanging out the mall or going to a social gathering, or grabbing ice cream. This group would always have something going on. Beyond that, this group of friends always advised and encouraged me while the other groups could not influence me so positively. 

Now at the end of Senior year with graduation less than a month away, I can see how I have grown so much. 

Slowly, I lost all three groups of friends. The first group of friends...gone at the end of Freshman year. The last group...gone at the end of Sophomore year. And the second group...gone just recently. Since Freshman year, I haven't had the "I fit-in everywhere feeling" because I didn't. I lost these group of friends and ultimately kept one best friend throughout the years who was not involved in any of these groups. 

I learned that I was building myself to be a complex person. As if being a part of such diverse groups of people made me well-rounded. But, the truth is...it didn't make me well-rounded at all because with any group of friends, I was still the same person. No group of friends influenced me as much as I influenced myself. Throughout all of high school, instead of wondering if I would be accepted, I inserted myself everywhere. Doing that showed me that in the very end I was not meant to be part of a group. I was meant to stand alone with one person by my side. I am not a complex person, I see. I am a human being...just being me. 

Links I've Stumbled Upon v.1

I love scrolling through my Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest feed and finding interesting content. It's really cool to discover new things, tips, apps, hacks, and stuff. So I decided that every Wednesday morning to post a list of some interesting, inspirational, or helpful stuff I've stumbled upon.

♥ Want to start a business and need an idea? Here are 55 business under $5,000 to start. 

♥ If you're like me, procrastination is one of your skills. Doing these three simple things could help you keep your brain focused.

♥ Your financial situation can actually affect your happiness...to an extent. Read all about that here.

♥ Wondering how entrepreneurs stay productive? Here are 11 productivity hacks that you'll enjoy! (This post includes lots of useful links!)

♥ What is the true cost of owning a website? Find out here.

♥ How often should you update your website and why is updating it so important? Answers to your questions are here. 

Hope these business, website, and productivity articles were helpful and interesting! 

10 Things I Cannot Stand...

Being an opinionated person has its ups and downs. The ups being people wanting to ask for my opinions, being able to present an argument, and knowing I have a voice. The downs being people wanting to ask for my opinions, not being able to defend the arguments I make with concrete facts, and knowing my voice is among many other voices as well.

Because on a day to day basis, I have opinionated opinions, here is a simple (and really short) list of things I cannot stand. So sit down, grab a cup of coffee (you might need it), and read on. 

Ten.

People obsessing over books that they deem to be "life-changing" and "meaningful" that later become movies. Twilight and The Hunger Games were not life-changing and meaningful at all. Everyone that was a fan just hiked it up to be and well...guess what? No you're not going to find a vampire soul mate or be forced to participate in an event where it's either life or death.

Nine.

Last minute plans that end up cancelled. It's bad enough for plans to be last minute, but then you just had to cancel, also? Really?!

Eight.

When people call you a "hater" when all you do is have an opinion that is unfavorable to them. 

Seven.

When people I know claim to be "busy". Okay so I am here with two small businesses, a fiction novel to write, a job to do, a blog to run, and a whole lot of freelance writing to care of and still manage to make time for homework and studying. Then, why are you complaining when the only thing you have to worry about is school work and finding what to wear to the party you're "busy" going to this weekend? Being "busy" doesn't mean having a few worries and then going out later on because at some point you aren't "busy", you're just living life. Being "busy" means not being able to enjoy going out, going to a party, or hanging out with loved ones and having to take care of responsibilities instead. So, no you ARE NOT "busy". 

Six.

The way people literally Tweet every thought in their head and it only makes sense to them. You will not believe how many Tweets on my news feed make absolutely no sense to me. When people tweet things like "Glad to have gotten through it, getting better" or "OMG! Why do I have to this?" or "Can't believe this. I am Done!" NO ONE. I REPEAT NO ONE understands what you're talking about.

Five.

When people you do not want in your life find ways to be more involved in your life. This has happened to me countless times. I stopped being friends with someone and all of a sudden this someone is now friends with all of my current friends. Not cool. (This is probably a huge factor in me being ready for college and ready to make ALL NEW friends). 

Four. 

When people act as if the world revolves around them. Now, I have a particular person in mind as I am writing this. You could be inviting this person to your wedding, your great-grandmother's funeral, or just to the park and she will find every way possible to make it about herself. I invited this person to my birthday party, she took a thousand pictures and posted them on Instagram. Not one photo was with me and it was MY birthday. 

Three.

When people begin to use you. I love helping people out any way that I can and try to very often as well, but people these days (at least the current people in my life) are selfish and inconsiderate and only seem to see you as a way to do or get something. I would never use someone and I would appreciate it if these people would not take my kindness for granted. 

Two.

When people get angry or annoyed with you because they are not getting what they want. If I am helping you or doing something for you, please don't expect more. That is well...rude.

One.

People forgetting plans or changing minds last minute. There's a reason why I keep a planner, write in pen, and don't use white out. If you even think you're not going to stick to the plan, don't make it with me.

That is all I have to say for now. Obviously, I sound as if I have been needing to take my anger out for days, but it was needed. What are a few things you cannot stand?

April Highlights

So April 2014 too has come and gone. This month was solely based upon having fun with my family and well...adjusting to the weird (warm one day, windy and cold the next) weather lately. Here is some of what April had to offer (based on my Instagram account which you can request to follow @ZobiaAlvi).

1. How I Met Your Mother came to an end on the first day of April, I found myself crushed and writing a lengthy blog post on my thoughts on the finale.

2. Although, I'm still on a healthy diet (so I may fit flawlessly into Prom dress next month), it's Iced Coffee season again!

3. Random trips out for breakfast and a little shopping were a great way to start my weekends this month. :)

4. My little munchkin turned ten years old this month! So I took her out for a movie, just the two of us!

5. Then, the following morning my Mother and my other sister took her out to IHOP.

6. And after that, I took her to Build-A-Bear Workshop to help her create her new best friend, Abby.

7. More Spring shopping! My new polka-dot tote bag really makes me happy. Not sure why, but it does. Perhaps, it reminds me of summer. :)

8. My best friend asked me to PROM! Now, I seriously can't wait for prom in May. He may not be much of a best friend, after all. ;)

9. It's spring and you know what that means...more frozen yogurt!

May is going to be a big month! Preparing for my last high school exams, PROM, my last spring band concert, and my last full month of school and work. Things are changing. Everything is in gear for graduation in June!