Leslie Knope

Leslie Knope is the main character of the show Parks & Rec. At the beginning of the show, she is the Deputy Director of the Pawnee City Department of Parks and Recreation. She has a small job in a small town in Indiana, and she's extremely passionate about what she does. She tries to lower speed bumps, and build parks, and make her town a better place. Her enthusiasm is conveyed as over-the-top and unnecessary for her small everyday tasks. She has no idea how little those around her actually care, and she is determined to change the world, one tiny change at a time. As the show goes on, her career path takes her a lot of places and it's hard to tell if she actually succeeds overall. There's a lot to be said about Leslie Knope that would spoil the entire show, but I am going to avoid all those aspects and focus on the basic characteristics of Leslie Knope.

• She's passionate. When she's given a task she takes it seriously and gets the job done at all costs. She's a really awesome, dedicated employee.
• She's a feminist. No way around it. Throughout the show she faces some stereotypical and frustrating misogynists and she never backs down. She fiercely wants to empower women and be a leader for other girls in her community.
• She cares about her community. Like, a lot. She cares about the people in her community a lot too, even if they don't care about her. She is often overlooked, but she always tries to address and account for everyone's perspectives.
• She loves breakfast food. Especially waffles. And therefore, Leslie Knope has earned my respect. She never fails to make me laugh and I admire her passion for breakfast food and her job.

If you just read through this entire post about a TV character's characteristics of a role model, please the show. Parks & Rec is guaranteed to make you laugh and Leslie Knope has some smart things to say.

"We have to remember what's important in life: friends, waffles, and work. Or waffles, friends, work. But work has to come third." ~Leslie Knope

Stay awesome,
Claire

Megan

This post is about my childhood best friend. I'm not sure why but I'm a bit nervous about this one. I'll just jump in though.
Her name is Megan, and she is super awesome. It feels like I never see her anymore, because we live an hour and a half apart. She's my only friend I'm still in touch with from living in the Quad Cities when I was young. I moved away when I was seven, but because our families were so close, we remained very close as well, if not grew closer. I haven't seen her in what feels like years, when it's probably been less than a month. (We also video chat.) There are a number of things I need to thank her for teaching me when we were younger, and as we've grown up so far away from each other...

1. Friendship can be found in the most unlikely places. Megan, you were a straight up turd when I first met you. I mean, we were toddlers, but you were mean. Our parents were co-workers though, and we worked very hard to forge a friendship that has lasted years. I grew on you, and you grew on me, and once we found some common interests we clicked.

2. You never outgrow your imagination. When we were kiddos, we both loved Harry Potter. We fought over who got to be Hermione when we played in your backyard. We had wand battles in the yard and performed duels in your swimming pool, fighting off dementors and Death Eaters - or little brothers. It was intense. Even as we grew up in our separate cities, I kept my wand and a little wizard charm you made me at a summer camp. Still have them. And I know that you're one of the rare people that even at our current age would gladly break out the wands again. We were friends when we began discovering how to create for ourselves, and had I not been so evenly matched intellectually, I would have been pretty bored as a child.

3. It takes a lot of practice to be good at something. You started figure skating at a young age, and for your tenth birthday I was able to come visit and join your birthday party. It was an ice skating party, and I had a wonderful time landing on my butt and watching you do pirouettes and jumps. A little over a year later, I had an ice skating party of my own on a smaller scale, and I kept falling and wishing I was as talented as you are. Since then I've watched you sustain a concussion and a back injury and still find a way to continue doing what you love. You struggled during your time off, and missed your passion when you weren't allowed on the ice. And you've struggled on the ice too. A lot. So many times I've heard that you are struggling with a jump, but a month later, it's always a different kind of jump, because you are so hard-working and make so much progress.

4. Be proud of your figure. This last one is a little more difficult to explain without sounding very direct. Let's imagine the picture perfect, Olympian figure skater. Thin, ballerina thin. Light and tall and slim to glide and spin smoothly. It's an advantage to be this shape because jumps are easier. Everything is smooth and delicate. Megan, you have beautiful curves and strong broad shoulders and you are stronger than the delicate dolls on ice that I see on TV. You've worked twice as hard to accomplish those moves because you aren't as flexible. You're committed and strong and the perfect oxymoron of tough and delicate, fiery and cool.

There's so much more you've taught me, but these are the most prominent lessons. You also taught me to curl my hair, and you gave me my first mascara. You planted my love for Target. Yes, the department store Target. And you've taught me more important things too. Having known you for over 10 years, there's a lot more to be said. But this is what I've got. Thanks Megan.

Stay awesome,
Claire

Señora B.

School has been in session for just over two months now. Earlier this year, I was applying for a summer program. It's a really big deal for me and I'm really excited about it. But I needed two adult recommendations for the application. I asked one of my old language arts teachers if I could fill in her information as one recommendation. She knows me quite well and is a good writer. But I was on the fence about who else to ask, and I finally went to my new Spanish teacher. I'd only known her about a month and a half, and she was still learning her students' names, practically. But Spanish is one of my favorite subjects and I had a good feeling about asking her. She said yes, and I filled in her name and sent in my application. In the weeks that have followed, I've become more and more glad I asked her to write about me.

It's about 7:15 on an ordinary September morning. I stop in to ask a quick question about the Spanish homework, and as I'm walking out the door saying thank you, she asks 
"Claire, what do you want to do?" 
Wait, what? I think.
"What kind of career path are you considering?" she clarifies.
I back up into the doorway and adjust my backpack, and answer that I'm not really sure yet. We talk for another twenty minutes about career paths, about how open my options are. This time when I leave, I say gracias, and I mean it a lot more. I am still amazed that after less than a month of school, I've just had an elaborate discussion about career options with my new teacher.

The longer I spend in her classroom, the more I admire her commitment to her students. She takes a serious interest in helping her students succeed in all that they do. She's currently helping a student apply to live abroad for a year, and gladly agreed to be one of my recommendations for an application very early in the year. And she teaches English Language Learners, ELL students. Her commitment to helping them learn English and showing them how to live in the U.S. is amazing. She quite often has left in the middle of class to translate for a counselor and student, or to put in a request to change a student's bus route. She has bikes in the corner of her room waiting to be repaired for ELL students to ride in the spring. She asks for old shoes and coats to pass on to students who have never lived in Iowa during the winter. And by teaching ELL students, she's really teaching every subject imaginable. Students come to her asking for help on their math homework, their physics, their biology. And she tries her best to help each one of them. She has been arranging tutoring between her Spanish and English students so both can gain some knowledge in the other language. She is a hero for those kids learning a new language in a new place surrounded by a new culture.

Gracias, Señora Bruce, para ver tanto potencial en mí.

Stay awesome,
Claire

What is commitment?

This is a post for my dad. I wrote about my mom a few weeks ago, and since then I've been procrastinating writing about my dad. He's an equally amazing parent but I know words can't do either of them justice. He's a surgeon at PCI, and the best father I could imagine being graced with. Thank you for everything you do, Dad.

Commitment is getting out of bed at 6 in the morning every day. It is coming home between 7 and 12 every night, and not knowing if and when you'll get to eat dinner. Commitment is working 365 days a year, quite literally. It is going into your office after opening presents on Christmas morning, so you can work on various charts and documents for a few hours. It is getting up at 2 in the morning because someone fell off of a roof. (Or leaving in the middle of dinner because someone slipped on ice. Or missing your kid's band concert because someone doesn't know how to use a table saw.) It is working all day long to help people when they're at their worst. It is patiently addressing other people's problems every day, and listening to their complaints.

And then, you come home. On those few weekend mornings that you can sleep in, you still choose to get up early to take out the dog. Then, you go out and get breakfast for everyone, or make coffee cake, or whatever you feel inspired to make. You keep working hard even on your days off. You do everything you possibly can to attend important events for my brother and I. Even at the end of your most exhausting work days you are able to see so much potential in me, and encourage me. After your long days, you still listen to my brother and I as we tell you about our own days. You still care and ask about everyone else's challenges and successes, with no regards to how hard you've worked. When I was younger, you used to be able to help me with my math, and my science, and you walked me through so many steps I didn't understand. After having worked for 12 hours, you could still muster ample patience to help me at the kitchen counter. Now that I'm in calculus and physics, it's a little harder to refresh your memory and help me with my challenges, but you are patient. You encourage me to find independence and strength in my own endeavors, and manage my time wisely. I know you're excited to watch me learn and grow, but I also know you'll have my back with wise words of encouragement when I'm struggling.

Dad, you work really hard, and don't ask for much recognition for everything you do. I hope this short blog post will suffice. Thank you for working nonstop to support our community and our family. You are a one of a kind person, and a one of a kind dad.

Stay awesome,
Claire

Civil Rights

I'm writing about a friend again. I'll try to keep this short, but today I'm going to talk about Sydney. She needs some recognition. 

Sydney is one of, if not my best friends, and one of the most aware people I've ever met. Her blog for this class is about civil rights, and she has so many brilliant opinions to share. I like her writing because it breaks down issues that I've had a hard time comprehending in the past. And she writes with a lot of passion. Once she breaks down a difficult issue, she's amazing at arguing a point. This is true in her writing and in person. She's a passionate and caring person, whether it's about a recent legal movement or where she sits in orchestra. 

In addition to showing passion for what she believes in, she is compassionate to others. She has adopted three sweet Boston Terrier girls, and she volunteers at the hospital, teaching toddlers and children about having new siblings. She really enjoys and cares about kids, and babysits for a family very regularly. She's always sharing stories about these cute kids that she gets to hang out with and how hilarious they are.

Sydney is a role model. She is compassionate and caring, and she has been found outlets for passing on her wonderful attitude to the kids she teaches at the hospital and the kids she babysits. And she's a fighter. She cares about multiple recent issues revolving around the rights of all people, and I know she'll continue impacting those around her with her words and actions for a long time.
I think I did an okay job of keeping this kind of short, but I could go on. She's a pretty amazing person.

Stay awesome,
Claire
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Check out Syd's blog, Civil Rights and Social Justice.
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Homelessness

Here's something new to try: sleep outside on a cold October night. Sounds pretty crappy, right? Try doing it every day of the year, through winter storms and heavy rain and sweltering heat. Homelessness is a real issue that many people prefer to ignore. Us lucky sheltered citizens tend to feel uncomfortable when we see the tired souls on the corners of streets with signs, and many assume homelessness solely happens to people with drug problems, or that it is something people bring onto themselves. The homeless must be lazy, right?

Quite on the contrary, many homeless families are homeless by circumstance. It's a hard life that happens as a last resort. The homeless are often at the end of their line, and have tried everything to keep a home and job. Many are mentally ill. Some are even war veterans with PTSD, who have served our country only to end up on the streets. It's a difficult life, and there's no way to glorify it.

Last night, I took part in Homeless Night at my high school. About 120 high school students raised and contributed a minimum of fifteen dollars to register. Everyone brings their cardboard boxes and starts setting up in front of our school, some as early as 6:00. Everyone has to be set up by 9:00 pm, and the whole event is monitored by chaperones. Some pretty awesome box forts pop up, with lights and tarps and lots of cozy blankets and sleeping bags. And then we get cozy. Everyone spends the night and packs up by 6 am to go get breakfast. This is, of course, a glorified one night version of homelessness. Even so, we are all cold, cramped and tired at the end of the night. No matter how awesome our forts were, how many snacks we packed, and how cozy we were, we felt the wind through our layers of clothes. It was easier knowing there were over 100 of us freezing in boxes together. I can't imagine trying to live homeless alone. Participants listened to the testimony of a teacher whose father is living homeless on the east coast. I got less than 4 hours of sleep. This was my first year taking part in Homeless Night. But I'm already looking forward sleeping out again next fall.

I'm proud to say that my school school raised over $2500 for our local homeless shelter, and we're also collecting canned foods this month to send at the end of October. I learned a lot about the difficult lifestyle of the homeless, and I am proud to contribute to their comfort in these coming cold months.

If your school doesn't have a Homeless Night, plan one. Start a canned food drive. Or next time you see someone shivering on a street corner holding a sign asking for help, hand them some cash, or buy them a pair of socks, or treat them to McDonald's. It's just another meal to you, but that meal could be all they eat for the day, or the week. Homelessness is real. Let's address it.

Stay awesome,
Claire
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Read about Kid President's #Socktober initiative here!
Find your nearest homeless shelter.
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A Pet Peeve.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people complain with no intention of suggesting a solution to the problem.

Sure, there's a certain relief in venting to someone about something frustrating. But after you vent, you move on. You let out your emotion and regain the ability to solve the problem or move past it. When you are faced with a real problem and you constantly complain and think about how frustrating it is, it's poisonous. It isn't good for your mental health or the health of those who listen to you complain.

Some things aren't as simple as Shia Lebouf makes them seem, sure. Not everyone can just do it, because some problems are much more complicated. But to earn credibility and for people to want to care or listen to your problems, you must take steps to try to solve those problems yourself too.

I think we see this with a lot of politicians as the 2016 election heats up. Some of the people running to lead our country seem to talk a lot and not say much. They sound like they're trying to meet the word count minimum for an essay. I don't yet have a certain political view to assert because it's difficult to decide who I would vote for. I agree with the opinions of multiple candidates, but which one of them will truly act and make the best decisions for the country I call home? A lot of the debates just sound like rich people complaining, and the applause they receive is from people who already agree. They are applauded for repeating what their supporters already believe. Of course, whoever is elected should match the views of our country. Politicians must assert their views strongly so people can side with them. But candidates should be elected because they are smart, open-minded and ready to solve problems for millions of people.

Prove to me that you are determined to solve problems for our country, not just talk about them. Then, and only then, will you have my vote.

Stay awesome,
Claire

Invested In Every Student: Why Mr. Kline Rocks

Jason Kline, also nicknamed JKline, is the principal at Kennedy High School. He's worked here two years going on three. He's active on Twitter, records announcements daily, and shadows classes every chance he gets. When he's not doing official, district stuff to keep our school running, he's invested in the students.

Mr. Kline had some pretty big shoes to fill when Dr. Wilcynski left. My freshman year was also Mr. Kline's first. Everyone LOVED Dr. Wilcynski. Mr. Kline was stepping up to the plate to bat right after Babe Ruth hit a homerun for seventeen years. There was doubt in everyone's hearts. The first year, he adjusted to his new environment. He had over 2000 names to learn, a new student body and new staff members to direct. He began building a Twitter presence, and learning our names, and still maintaining a high school. He started a blog called Cougar Chat and already began investing time to write and recognize athletes, scholars, and clubs all over Kennedy High School. He was working hard from the start. Under his administration, I had a wonderful freshman year. 

Sophomore year brought huge changes to Kennedy High School, however, changes that were exciting for everyone. Mr. Kline pitched the idea of SMART Lunch, an 80 minute lunch period for the entire student body, as opposed to 4 slots of ABCD lunch that rotates students in and out of 4th hour with 20 minutes to eat. Instead, there would be an open campus for juniors and seniors with passing grades to leave for lunch. Underclassmen and those that stayed could enjoy two 40 minute slots of "tutorial." Tutorial was time to catch up on work, eat, socialize, ask teachers for help in their classrooms, and attend club meetings or recreational sports. Students and staff adjusted when the year started, and everyone loved it. Everyone loved Mr. Kline. And with good reason. SMART Lunch meant it was easier to participate in clubs and sports, made homework more manageable, and students that rode the bus could participate more in school life. Everyone was winning, and Mr. Kline was to thank.

By the end of the year, SMART Lunch had shifted slightly, though, and Kline took some big hits on Twitter. Administration chose to close the foyer during the end of SMART Lunch and students needed a pass to get to a classroom. It was to control the noise level, but Mr. Kline got tons of criticism on Twitter from students trapped in the noisy cafeteria. I'll admit to being one of those irritated students. Additionally, SMART Lunch was cut short 20 minutes to make time for more class, so we had fewer snow days to make up in the summer, and school had to start five minutes earlier and end five minutes later. Oh, the pain of waking up five minutes earlier. Mr. Kline took more hits, despite it being a decision of administration as a whole. Even teachers were irritated, but it was necessary. Being a high school principal means making difficult decisions, and Mr. Kline made his fair share of hard decisions that year.

Enter junior year. Present day. SMART Lunch remains shorter this year, at 30 minutes per tutorial, one hour of lunch to use accordingly. There is still an open campus, and the foyer has been open for students to come and go after lunch. Thank goodness. That was irritating. Now that everyone appreciates SMART Lunch, we turn to whether or not JKline is truly invested in every student. He attends every football game, but only one cross country meet in the season?! *Gasp* He doesn't participate. Yes, but he tweets about the team victories, and he celebrates every. single. sport. in an elaborate paragraph at the end of the week on his blog, Cougar Chat. He tweets about National Merit Scholars, Debate Team, football victories and dive team videos, and he is so cool when you talk to him. His focus is definitely football this year, but we're 7-0 baby! How can you not celebrate that?! The student section is flaming, and when over 200 students are there, Kline should probably be there too. And he missed the game this week because he was at his brother's wedding. He still tweeted and kept up with the game, and he's been encouraging students to add emails to a Battle of The Stands to win our school $25,000. The only reason we are in the lead is because Kline is so present on Twitter. No other school in the city of Cedar Rapids has such a strong social media presence as Kennedy.

Now that we all have some perspective, stop hating on Mr. Kline. Next time you feel that he isn't invested in all students, as his Twitter bio claims, check up on his weekly blog. He is one heck of a role model, and he is still learning and growing like the rest of us. He has risen to the challenge of a huge, new school and implemented an entire new lunch system with grace. He is raising a family of 1800, and a family of his own. Cut the guy some slack and thank him for all he's done next time you see him.

Stay awesome,
Claire
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Follow Mr. Kline on Twitter.
Read Cougar Chat, "from the desk of Principal Jason Kline."
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Equality

My friend is a role model - this will be quick, I promise - and she needs some recognition.

Rachel writes about equality in all its forms on her blog, Cup O' Equality. At first thought, a blog about equality sounds like recycled newspaper articles from yesterday. Equality is a very talked-about subject these days, in many forms. But Rachel really writes her own opinions, and when you talk to her, you'll realize it's what she believes and she won't bend her views to accommodate people that are really wrong. She tells it how it is. She's spunky and determined, and she's a future leader. Thank you, Rachel, for being refreshingly real and educated. Keep writing quality blogs, and advocating for what you believe in, far beyond the screen you type on. I see your opinions shine through in your blogs and in ordinary conversation and it makes me happy knowing you'll change the world someday.
(probably tomorrow when you post another awesome blog.)

Stay awesome,
Claire
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Rachel's blog, Cup O' Equality.
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Amy Schumer is Awesome

Amy Schumer is an increasingly popular comedian and outspoken feminist that has become recently popular. She's so funny. And she advocates for women. A lot of her jokes have been interpreted or seen as controversial, but she manages to make them funny because her opinions are right, and she is fighting for women with her stories and clever words. She also speaks about how hard it is to speak out in general. She's a strong feminist with a positive body image despite being labeled as overweight by many critics.

Here's to Amy. She has awesome, edgy humor. She stands out because she defies the stereotype that feminists don't see the humor in anything. Her feminist rants are hilarious, but still get the message across every time. Her fans are learning how to support gender equality, and see themselves as more beautiful. May she continue to inspire, as she is an spunky, hilarious, and confident role model for many.

"I say if I'm beautiful. I say if I'm strong. You will not determine my story - I will." -Amy Schumer

Stay awesome,
Claire
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Some of the best things Amy has to say here.
Amy also has a show called on Inside Amy Schumer on Comedy Central.
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Musical Interpretation

Let's talk music. In our messy world of criticisms and pop culture, a plethora of songs and topics are commonly sung about. Love, violence, becoming a parent, drugs and adventures. It's all out there. 

If you asked me to pick a favorite artist, it might be Ed Sheeran. Or Troye Sivan. I also really like Sam Smith, and Jake Shimabukuro, and Dodie Clark, and Halsey. Oh, and Florence + The Machine. The audiences for each of these artists varies in size. Some are better known for making video makers on youtube. Some are famous for their music and overplayed on the radio. And the majority of you will have no idea who Jake Shimabukuro is. He's famous for his ukulele skills. But so is Dodie Clark. It's hard to find the theme in what sorts of songs I like. When someone sings about love, in various forms, it tends to move listeners. I think growing up and coming of age are topics that inspire me in song form too.

(I also love the type of music that makes you want to get up and dance. Groovy, funk stuff. Earth, Wind & Fire is one of my top Pandora stations for dancing to. In case anyone wanted to know.)

Yet, the other day, I was talking with my good friend, and he likes a very different set of songs. It's not the stuff that makes you cry or moves you in your chest, at least not the way I see it. Then again, he plays football. The songs he told me about are intense guitar pieces that the team listens to before a game. Not really my thing. And yet, the passion with which he told me about Shinedown and Seether was impressive. I tried listening on Pandora. I really tried. It made me appreciate the message behind the different songs that my friend likes. He seems to like the songs that drive him and make him feel stronger when he's doign something he's passionate about.

For another quick musical profile, another one of my good friends shares my taste in Halsey, and Sam Smith. She has  begged her mom for concert tickets to Halsey. But I'm not sure we like the same songs for the same reasons. I think she likes the adventurous tone of Halsey's songs. Even if she's just driving home from school, Halsey makes it seem like the ride of a lifetime. And Sam Smith sings a lot about love. Songs about love, whether it's heartbreak, or a crush, or a terrible breakup, validate how we feel, even if we won't sing it dramatically like our favorite artists.

So here's to music. Let it continue to move us, whether it's to face the day with a different attitude or just get on our feet and move. If you've read this far, you should comment something you like to listen to.

Stay awesome,
Claire
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Ed Sheeran.
Troye Sivan.
Sam Smith.
Jake Shimabukuro.
Dodie Clark.
Halsey.
Florence + The Machine. 
Earth, Wind & Fire.
Shinedown.
Seether.
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Stories are Cities

Jordy Brown is a writer and teacher. He graduated from UNI this past year, and is currently student teaching in Dubai. He presented his poem Stories Are Cities at a TEDx event last spring, and it's one of the best extended metaphors you will hear. For a quick summary, he talks about how we build cities in our minds. It's huge analogy. Each city consists of skyscrapers of knowledge, and streets and cars. Some cities have walls and some have bridges. Tears are the rain in these cities, but they clean the streets. It's a brilliant connection between individual people, and the cities that make up our brains.

And then the poem takes a more serious turn, and Jordy explains how our mental cities connect. As people, we share our skyscrapers of knowledge and our values and rules that govern our minds. But roads, stories, are how you really connect two cities, two minds.

I think Jordy is telling us to connect over stories. You won't fully appreciate someone else until you've heard about their experiences, and you can connect theirs to your own. These connections are important because fight against the connections that cause two cities to turn and attack another city. Stories forge connections, avoiding "... giant mushroom clouds of insults, slurs and hate...". I think Jordy's message is ultimately a positive one. Stories are what connect us, and the way to avoid issues between people is to start asking to hear each other's stories. Tell your story, listen to the stories of others. Break down the walls the safeguard cities, and build bridges instead.

Jordy's poem is something more people need to hear and realize. In a world full of judgement and angry opinions, we need to begin to listen to each other and appreciate each other's experiences and differences. "No city is the same..." 

Stay awesome,
Claire

Check out Jordy's poem here!
To read about Jordy's student teaching adventures in Dubai, check out his blog. 
His blog also ties to his poem as Jordy learns about the values of people from different countries and cultures. He's also student teaching 4th graders, and even the young minds he's coaching are teaching him.

In My Chair

Eva Devirgilis is a makeup artist, stylist, and also an actress. Recently, she's started speaking publicly about her job as a makeup artist. She has had hundreds of women sit in her chair to have their makeup done, and begin their appointment with an apology. In her TEDx Talk In My Chair she addresses the women who apologize when they sit down. Most women apologize when they sit down. Whether it's wrinkles, weight, nose shape or the curve of a face, almost every woman to sit down apologizes. They don't see their own beauty. Despite Eva's knowledge of makeup, she uses makeup to make women believe they really are beautiful, with or without makeup. Even if the effect is temporary, Eva tries to transform the attitudes of her clients, both with words of encouragement and her makeup skills. While on stage, she uses her acting skills to represent the different clients that sit in her chair. First, are the many women who lack confidence and see only flaws. And then, she becomes the women who don't apologize. To clarify, Eva isn't one of the women who is confident in a makeup chair. She too sees her flaws. But the women who don't apologize when they sit down to be pampered are faced with illness or death. An old woman celebrating her birthday, or a mother who just finished a round of chemotherapy and got her new wig.

Eva encourages those women to do two things. First, use makeup as a resource to feel beautiful and to feel confident. This is something we should all feel okay doing, too. Many people are seen as too "made up" or "trying to hard" when they put on makeup for an ordinary day, but if it's what makes us feel comfortable, go for it. Disregard the opinions of those who only notice your appearance. Wear as much or little makeup as you want, as long as you are happy.

And second, Eva reminds all women to love themselves. Every woman that has sat in her chair, every woman that wears makeup or leaves the house with none on, love and embrace your own appearance. As a makeup artist, Eva changes the appearance of so many people on a daily basis, and empowers them with makeup. But so many go home and feel unchanged the next day. She's looked into the eyes of women who she envies the appearance of, and had them apologize for a trait she would love to have. 

Eva is a trailblazer, a role model in her profession, and a role model for all women. Love yourself, treat yourself, and don't apologize when you sit down for your next appointment. You aren't difficult, you are fabulous. And once you know it, remind others of their own beauty, too. If you are in the small group of confident women that loves your appearance, set an example as Eva does and try to empower others.

Stay awesome,
Claire

See Eva Devirgilis' presentation here.
For more about Eva, check out her website here.