Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

Life is Too Short to Stress

We all know that familiar feeling of the week before finals. UGHHHHHHH. That's how I feel about it. In some ways, I act like Rachel Berry. I can't sing or dance, but I can worry about useless things. I, like Miss. Berry, am an over-thinker. Today's dilemma: Whether or not I should force myself to read for a class if I hate the assigned book. Now, I know what you're thinking: Get over it, it's part of college to hate the assigned books, just shutup and do it. But here's my defense: I really hate this book. So in order to put off reading the book, I called my mom to complain about how hard my life as a college student is.
"Mom, my life is so hard. I have so much homework," I said.
"Well, you're almost done," she said.
"No. You don't understand. I have so much work."
"Nat, I do understand. Everyone else has a lot of work, too. If you had that much work, you'd be doing it right now instead of calling me to complain about it."

Good point, mom.

That phone call put things into perspective for me. Instead of wasting time bitching about homework, I need to just shut up and do it. To avoid the stress of homework and finals, focus on something good.

Last week, my roommate got a kitten. Before I start my homework, I play with Lilly to relieve stress. I've also realized that everyone needs someone (for me, it's my mom) to have the balls to tell you to get over yourself. Thanks, mom.

Here's what Lilly looks like:

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

Sometimes the Old is Better Than the New


This coming Tuesday is the new episode of Glee! Finally. It's been a long couple weeks without one. But I've been easing my pain by watching the old episodes (life without Blaine is just dull), when I realized something: I was actually enjoying the old stuff. This got me thinking...

I always overlook my old stuff. Always. I overlook things that I've done or had for awhile because I get bored. But I know that sometimes, things that are old are better than the new. This leads me to my best friend Sam.

In two weeks I'm graduating college, and like most soon-to-be grads, I'm scared. I'm leaving all my friends behind and going back home. At first, I thought there is nothing for me at home anymore. Then I realized: Sam. She has been my best friend since 9th grade and has been there for me through everything. When she left UPG two years ago, I cried.
"You'll be fine," she said. "Trust me. You'll make new friends."
And I did. Sam is the kind of friend who is the voice of reason. When my boyfriend and I broke up and I didn't want to get out of bed, Sam was there.
"Just get it together. Don't worry about him," she said.

Sam will be there for me when I go back home. And although I've made new friends and had new experiences, I'm excited to go back to something that's old.

PA Budget Cuts: What Does This Mean for Us?

As we all (should) know by now, Republican Gov. Tom Corbett proposed budget cuts for PA universities beginning July 1. For college students across PA, this cut will be detrimental to our education. So what exactly does this potential cut mean for us? According to the Wall Street Journal.com, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704758904576188633406924322.html, this means that state funding for universities will be cut by 52%, which will result in higher tution, less open teaching positions in colleges, limited classes, and pay freezes.

I am one of thousands of Pitt students with a story.

 I, like many students at Pitt-Greensburg, am a first-generation college student from a hard working family. Both of my parents work full-time and have put me through college by doing so. As the first family member to be a graduate of college, I value education. I'll be going to Pitt next year for a teaching program so that I can (hopefully) teach in a Pittsburgh school within the next two years.

Yesterday I was standing outside my Literature class when two girls walked past me carrying books.
"I can't come back next year if tuition goes up," one said.
"Neither can I. I already have two jobs and I can't imagine getting a third," the other said.

Is education a privilege for only those that can afford it?

With a majority of Repulicans in the Senate, Corbett's cuts stand a good chance of succeeding.

As a part of Corbett's proposed plan, teachers across PA will be laid off, and those that aren't will be taking pay freezes. This makes me reconsider my career choice. Will I have to move out of PA and leave my friends and family behind because jobs, especially teaching positions, are few and far between?

The world is in a bad place right now. And I don't see it getting better anytime soon.

How does this relate to Glee? It doesn't.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

Life is Funny. Don't Take it Too Seriously.

It took me a long time to be able to laugh at life. Let's be honest, 9 times out of 10, our day to day life is hilarious. And I'm not just talking about actual funny things, like having fun with friends and being drunk. But if you really look at the things that you once thought were serious, you'll probably laugh at them now. Here are my funny things that I realized this week:

-Professor Jakiela told us one time to pay attention to signs that are meant to be serious, but are actually really funny. Today, I saw a huge sign outside that said: "Don't Fall In." It was posted over a patch of wet grass from the recent storms, but it was hilarious. What a great sign to see first thing in the morning. Story of my life: "Don't Fall In."

-I came across an old picture of me in high school today (thank you, Facebook), and I cringed. Those awkward high school years are traumatic (for most of us) to think about. And this relates well to Glee. What seemed like a huge deal in high school, such as what color eyeshadow you had on, if your braces made you look ugly, etc. is funny to think about now. In fact, I can't believe I wasted so much time worried about stupid things. In order to pay tribute to those awful high school years, I found a website with pictures of the Glee actors from high school. It's comforting to know everyone is awkward sometime in their life. Here is a sample of what I found:

For the whole collection, click here:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fomg.yahoo.com%2Fphotos%2Fglee-high-school-photo-flashback%2F4715%2F1&h=98e5aIWTYJCdIf1yILK84CW-EBw

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

The Road to Victory Isn't easy, but It's Worth It.

With the season finale of Glee this past week (ugh, I don't want to talk about it), we have to wait  for a month to see our favorites come back. However, the finale was a good one, and New Directions won regionals and beat the two competitive teams (one of which was coached by the evil Sue). This proves that after a long year and tons of hard work, the underdogs came out on TOP! How does this relate to real life, you ask?

  

Well, after four exhausting years, I'm graduating in less than a month! Like so many of my peers who are currently experiencing this same excitement and fear, it is only because of our hard work that we have made it to this point. We, like the Glee team, have reached the end of a very, very, very long road.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

Most of the Time, Your Parents are Right
      
"Sean is no good for you," my dad said one night at dinner.
"You don't know that," I said. I looked across the table to my mother, who had her eyes down.

I hate to admit it, but my parents are usually right about most things. Growing up, I thought I knew everything. So when my dad told me he didn't like my boyfriend of four years, I shrugged my shoulders and walked away.

"You're in an unhealthy relationship," he said one say when Sean and I got into a fight because I wanted to go skiing and he didn't. After an explosive argument and a semi-breakup, I convinced myself it was just a "normal" couple fight.

After four years and one ugly break up due to the fact that our relationship was in fact unhealthy, I realized my parents knew it long before I did. Now, when my mom and dad try to tell me something, I listen and take advice.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

Be Happy. Someone Somewhere Has It Worse Than You Do.
          The Summer That Changed My Life

"It will be good for you," my mom said one afternoon.

It was the summer before I went to high school. At 14-years old, my thoughts were consumed by boys, dances, and how to apply makeup. My best friend Nicole saw an advertisement for a summer camp for Special Education students and wanted to volunteer.

"No. No way," I said. I planned on going to the pool, laying in the sun, and reading the latest issue of Seventeen all summer. But after much convincing, Nicole and I signed up in May for a volunteer session at Camp Shining Arrow.

For more information on Camp Shining Arrow, click here: http://www.ncpad.org/programs/index.php?id=3309&country=&state=Pennsylvania&city=Pittsburgh

Camp Shining Arrow is a summer camp for mentally challenged adults that experience severe difficulties functioning in day-to-day activities. I had had no experience working with these adults, and I was scared.Camp was from 9am until 5pm, Monday through Friday. We were assigned partners with one of the campers and were responsible for feeding, playing, and watching out for them throughout the day.

 When I met Henry, I didn't know how to react. He was a 32-year old man with severe Down Syndrome and could not even feed himself. I had to feed him his ham sandwich on the first day of camp.

"No. I not eat that," he said from his wheelchair, as he pushed the sandwich away.

"Please, Henry. Just eat some," I said. I was unfamiliar with what to do or say.

"Ok," he said. He took a large bite of the sandwich and chewed it.

The next thing I knew, Henry had taken the chewed up sandwich from his mouth and flung it in my hair. After several minutes of trying not to cry and some promises to Nicole about never returning back to the camp, I realized that I needed to be patient with Henry. I learned more in that summer at Camp Shining Arrow than I had any other summer of my life.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

17. Don't Be a Bitch
 Fight the Urge, I Learned the Hard Way

Carina was the quiest girl in the class. In fact, she was so quiet that when the teacher called on her, she would freeze and not respond to the answer. Everyone made fun of her. Her mousy brown hair was pulled back into the same ponytail every day, and she drew cartoons in her spare time. Kids in my class would snatch up the cartoons and tease her. Myself included.

Carina was an easy target. Her mom was the school librarian and never spoke up, so I figured I would never get in trouble. Besides, wouldn't a librarian that yelled at an innocent sixth grader look terrible?

One Saturday, our class had a party at Discovery Zone. While the moms huddled at the cake table and discussed carpools, my best friends Nicole and I found Carina in the ball pit. Our teachers called us the three Ns.
"Nice drawings," Nicole said.
"Yeah, nice drawings," I repeated. And then the worst possible thing happened. I kicked Carina in the shin and all three of us ran away.

In high school, Carina's father was diagnosed with brain cancer. He was not supposed to live.

"Attention girls. We have a student with a very sick father. Please keep her in your prayers," our principal announced over the school speakers.
I never talked to Carina in high school. I didn't even acknowledge her in the halls. She was always alone. But one day in my junior year of high school, Carina wrote me a note:
Natalie, I know I have always been shy, but it's because I'm afraid of what people will say about me.

I didn't need detention or a lecture from my parents to know how mean I had been. Now, Carina goes to Point Park for Art, and her pictures are amazing.

I learned my lesson.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

16. You Can Choose Your Friends, But Not Your Family
        The Only Common Ground Between Us: Parents

All I wanted was a sister.

Ryan and I share nothing. In grade school, he snuck out of eighth period to smoke with friends. I went to youth group. Ryan barely graduated high school. I couldn't wait to go to college. I realized we would never get along on my 13th birthday, when my grandma got me my first bottle of perfume. I stashed it on my dresser, brainstorming when I could wear it for the first time. One day after school, the shiny crystal bottle was gone.
"Mom, did you take my perfume?" I asked.
"No. It was on your dresser last night. Check again," she said.
I searched. It was gone.
"Ryan, did you take my perfume?" I asked. I held my breath. I didn't want to know the truth. I felt the fury build up in my face, bracing for the worst.
"Yeah," he said. That was it. The most prized posession in my 13 year old life was gone. I exhaled.
"Why. What would you want with it?"
"Trust me, you don't want to know."

Now it was time for mom to intervene. Things were going to get bad.

"Give it back to her, Ryan. Now," mom said.
"I would. Except that I don't have it anymore," Ryan said.
"Where is it?" Mom asked.
"I made a bomb out of it," he said. "Used some lighter fluid. Worked real well."

The tears dripped down my face. I wanted to charge at him, punch him in the face. I never even got to use it.


Nine years later, and I still get angry when I think about that bottle of perfume being lit on fire and tossed around in the forest by Ryan and his buddies.
But why fight it? Family is family. I may not have the traditional relationship with my brother, but I'll never have another one.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

15. You are Your Own Worst Enemy
        My Life as a Semi-Perfectionist

Just like Rachel Berry, I always knew I was a little crazy. OCD (and I use this term very loosely) has taken a grip on my life and won't let go. Is it extreme? No. Is it enough to make me feel like I am losing my mind on a day to day basis? Yes. It is especially bad when it comes to school work. I will make mental check lists throughout the day, then transfer them to paper, then go through and double-check them.

But I'm not talking about just any kind of list. I make lists that consist of things like: "Pay credit card bill in two weeks", and "check bank account later". Little do I realize that by the time I write these things down, I could have just logged onto the computer and completed them. I lay in bed at night and run through my lists, verifying that everything got done. If I print papers out to hand in for an assignment and accidentally staple then the wrong way, I have to reprint it and do it again. Or I have to pick the staple out if it is in backwards.

The worst part about this problem is that I check my alarm clock several times throughout the night to make sure it's set. I am terrified of being late for anything, so I stare at the clock, making sure the Alarm button is on. This makes me feel crazy, and watching the neurotic Rachel Berry eases my pain.

The day I realized I need to chill out was when my boss at work happened across my parents while I was working (I work at the mall. My parents came in the store).
"Natalie sure is a good worker," my boss said.
"Well that's good," my dad said.
"The only thing is, she is harder on herself than anyone else is," my boss said. "Sometimes she will get frustrated if little things get off track. You know, if things aren't running smoothly."
This forced me to realize that being uptight is not a good way to be.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

14. Make Your Own Decisions, Be Your Own Person
My Catholic-Camp Social Suicide Experiment

This lesson happens to be the most relevant when it comes Glee. The students struggle everyday to be in a club that they love. They get Slushies thrown in their face, tossed in the garbage, and shoved against lockers. Yet they remain strong in their loyalty to Mr. Schu and each other.

I went to a Catholic high school. We had pictures of Jesus hanging in every corner, we prayed twice a day, and going to church was mandatory. At my senior prom, they turned off the music because of the way people were dancing.
"If the boy is not looking at your face, he is disrespecting your body," our principal said.
"Leave room for the Holy Spirit," Father George announced into the microphone.

Every spring, our school hosted a 4-day religious retreat that a small group of students volunteered to go on. It was called Kairos. But the rumor was that everyone that went on this retreat came back as part of the "Kairos Cult". All of the girls in my high school (it was an all-girls high school, so that made it even more dramatic) that didn't like Kairos called it "Kaigross". I was among these people, just because making fun of Kairos was easier than standing up for it. But during the spring of my senior year, my math teacher, Mrs. Ladd, who did not particularly like me, pulled me aside after class.
"I think you should sign up for Kairos. It'd be really good for you," she said.
"I'll check my schedule," I said, like a snotty 18-year-old.
"Natalie. It's a really good experience. I know the girls make fun of it, but the people that end up going really are great people. I know they're not your crowd, but it's worth a try."

Always a sucker for guilt, I entered for the retreat. I spent four days with girls that I never would have talked to. At the retreat, I received an envelope from one of the counselors, and in it was a letter from Mrs. Ladd.
"Natalie," it said. "I am so proud of you for making the right decision and going on the retreat. I can't wait to hear about it when you get back."

When I got back, all of my friends welcomed me as I expected them to.
"How was Kaigross?" They said at lunch.
But I ignored their comments, and I ended up having a great time at the retreat.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

13. Don't Judge a Book by It's Cover
My Initial Hatred for Someone Has Changed Completely

This happens to Mercedes on Season 1. Sue Sylvester makes a judgement about Mercedes based on the fact that she is the only African-American girl in Glee. After making a brief statement about "minorities" in Glee, Mercedes says, "My dad's a dentist."

This is one of my worst habits. I always judge people based on first impressions. I try to tell myself to stop, but I've decided it's only natural. First impressions are important. However, they can be very wrong.

The first time I met Corey was at an after-school tutoring program for middle school kids. We had a mutual friend who offered to drive us all to the program. I agreed I would go with her. Among our small group of friends, Corey was someone I had never met before. And I thought he was obnoxious. He always had to have the right answer to everything and always had a smartass comment. When he tried to debate with me over whether Harry Potter was good, I knew I would never come around to liking him.

But I had made a quick judgement, and I was wrong. After hanging out with Corey, he is now one of my best friends a year and a half later. Now I can openly tell him how I felt in the beginning.
"I hated you. You were really obnoxious," I say.
"Likewise," he says.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

12. Don't Let a Bully Bring You Down
       My Gymnastics-Bully Nightmare

This lesson goes beyond McKinley High. Whether it's Will and Sue Sylvester, Santana and everyone, Puck and the losers, or Quinn and Rachel, I've learned this lesson the hard way. Sure, I've never been thrown into a dumpster like Kurt, but my bad experience has scarred me for life.

I was nine years old. I didn't even know what bullies were. I had been doing gymnastics for two years, and I loved it. I had my mom drive me to practice early and I'd stay late. I loved shopping for leotards and wearing bright-colored tights. I would tumble around the studio with my new friends. Then, it happened.

Amanda was taller and bigger than all the others girls in our class. Her hair was platinum blonde and spiky. She was a bad dancer. She messed up the routines and made fun of the other girls, particularly me. She would make fun of me when my dance moves were off, and I went home crying the first day she joined.

"I'm calling your teacher, that's it," mom said on the drive home.
"No. Don't. That'll make it worse," I said. I promised to stand up for myself the next day.

Except Amanda made fun of me more than before. When we were standing in line to do hand-stands, she cut in front of me.
"I was here first," I said. I was excited to stand up for myself.
"So? Nobody cares," she said.
And I cried. I quit gymnastics after that day, despite my parents' best attempts at convincing me to stay. I regret that decision more than anything. I never got back into it after that, and I wonder what would have happened if Amanda had never come into my life.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

11. Do What You Love, Not What Anyone Else Tells You to Do.

Unfortunately I can relate to Will Schuester on this one. His marriage falls apart due to several reasons, but a huge one is the fact that he doesn't make enough money to support his materialistic wife. Terri tells Will that he needs to get a second job in addition to his full-time teaching job. Will actually considers this and applies to be an accountant. But then he realizes that Terri should support what he loves to do, and he decides to stick with his job at McKinley High. Why? He says openly that teaching is his passion.

The day I told my family I was changing my major from Business to English, all were supportive except for one: my dad. Unfortunately, he wanted me to take the business-route in my career, and immediately asked what I was planning to do with an English degree. My response was simple: teach. He wasn't mad, but he was far from thrilled.
"Teachers are overworked and underpaid," he said.
"I don't care," I said back.
He forced a smile. To this day, I can tell he wishes I would have chosen differently. When I go home for the weekend, he casually brings up the topic at dinner.
"I hired a young woman today at work," he says.
"So?" I reply. I know what's coming next.
"She went to school to be a teacher. She worked for two years and realized how hard it was. Kids are bad. Not like when I was your age. Now they're really bad. So she quit. Said it wasn't worth the money."
And so our conversation continues every weekend. I wonder when he'll give up. This situation is sad, but true. I know what I want, and just because my dad may be waiting to prove otherwise, I will continue to follow my dreams.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

11. Some Friendships Fall Apart, and it's Not Always a Bad Thing.

People change. And some people just suck. Not everyone is a good friend. And unfortunately, I found this out the hard way more than once. I wish people would come with signs attached to them reading, "I'll steal your boyfriend" or "I'll stab you in the back". Wouldn't life be so much easier?

I became friends with Nicole in 11th grade math class. We instantly clicked, and we had the same sense of humor, so we laughed through every class. One day, Nicole started talking about a girl in our class, Marissa, whom she knew I didn't like. Since I am not a confrontational person, I just steered clear of Marissa. Nicole would say how Marissa was fake and a liar, and I agreed, thinking our conversation was private.

A few weeks later, Marissa confronted me and said she heard I was saying things behind her back. Well, I was. But how could I tell her that Nicole said all the same things? I couldn't. It turned into a huge fight that was completely unnecessary. Turns out, Nicole enjoyed being two-faced and causing senseless drama. I learned a very important lesson the hard way. Thank you, Nicole. My friendship wiith Nicole promptly ended after that, and it was for the better.

This situation reflects the friendship of Finn and Puck. Once best friends, Puck betrayed Finn by hooking up with Quinn. They ended their friendship, and it was probably for the better. Who needs friends that bring them down? I don't.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

10. What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You.


I got this lesson from Rachel's and Finn's (failed) relationship. Everything was going great, until Rachel dug up some old dirt about Finn and Santana hooking up, and then things went sour for these two. Although Rachel had the right to know about Finn's past, they weren't together when it happened, and it eventually ate away at her until she let jealousy get the best of her. What's the lesson to be learned from this? Sometimes not knowing something is the best way to go. If people knew everything everyone said or did behind their back, we'd all go crazy. 

This leads me to my personal Rachel-story. My boyfriend and I had broken up, and a couple weeks later he starts communicating with me again. Against my better judgement, I ask if anything happened while we were broken up. Huge mistake. Not only was I pissed (over a guy who turned out to be a total jerk), but I was better off never even letting him back into my life again. Call me crazy, but some things are better off not known.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

9. Stand Up For What You Believe In.

The idea for this post just came to me while watching the newest episode of Glee online last night, "The Sue Sylvester Shuffle". Not only was the episode great, but Quinn FINALLY stood up against Sue and traded in her Cheerios uniform to be a permanent member of Glee. Although it took some convincing from Finn in order for her to finally make this decision, she left Sue without any cheerleaders at the competition. We should all learn from this glorious Glee moment: Even though it was hard, Quinn quit the Cheerios because she knew it was the right thing to do. We all have a little Quinn in us, and sometimes it's easier to just go along with what's wrong than stand up for what's right. To watch the newest episode and see how Quinn abandons Sue, click here:  http://www.fox.com/glee/full-episodes/775265081001

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

8. Whatever You Are, Be a Good One.

I love this saying. Not only because it applies to Glee, but because it's true. One time I heard someone say, "Never just waffle through life, put your all into it." And it's true. Don't be a waffle-er. Put your best into anything, and more likely than not, you'll see great results.

I never thought I would say this, but Sue Sylvester is a prime example of a non-waffle-er. Sure, she's a bully, but she's a great one. Beyond that, she's a great Cheerios coach. Why? Because she puts her all into coaching, she lives and breathes it. This may be one of the only positive lessons we can learn from Sue, but it's a good one.

                                          Sue doing what she does best.

7. Unlikely Friendships Can Be the Best Ones

We all have had that friend that we never expected to meet. For me, it is my friend Paige. We met my first year in high school. Her family owns a funeral home in our town, and they live on the top floor of it. Everyone thought it was creepy, but when I met Paige on our summer swim team, we immediately became friends. I ignored everyone's comments about how weird her home would be, and I decided to figure it out for myself. When I spent the night at her house (AKA the funeral home), it was so much fun. It actually wasn't creepy at all. This goes to show that even though people had a misconception about this girl due to her home being different than the norm, she was actually a really great person.

In Glee terms, we all know that there are several unlikely friendships that take place at McKinley High. My personal favorite is Finn and Artie. Their friendship blossomed in Season 1 when Artie was being tossed into the school's dumpster by Puck and other bullies, and Finn stood up for him. Now they're not only step-brothers (which I love!), but they're good friends. This unlikely friendship is wonderful, and it proves that even the most unlikely people can become your greatest friends.

You Are Your Own Worst Enemy

6. This one goes out for the Rachel Berry's of the world. She's crazy, obsessive, and a perfectionist. She's my favorite character for many reasons, but it's her obsessive behavior that makes me love her the most. Aren't we all a little crazy in our own ways? The point is, Rachel pushes herself so hard because she is her biggest critic. Meanwhile, all of her friends tell her to calm down and relax, but that only makes her work harder. What is the lesson to be learned from Miss. Berry's crazy behavior? Relax a little. Not everyone is judging you like you think they are. And when you mess up, chances are that you notice it more than anyone else around you. Nobody is perfect, not even Rachel Berry.

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

5. Don't Let a Bully Bring You Down.

It happens to the best of us: mean girls. And in some cases, I've encountered girls meaner than Sue Sylvester on her cruelest day (and that says a alot). But like Kurt and Rachel, you have to stay strong against the meanest people. Here is my tribute to McKinley High's best bully:

To watch the episode 'Furt', which shows bullying at its worst, click here: http://www.fox.com/glee/full-episodes/682670908001

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

4. You can choose your friends, but not your family.

The idea for this post sparked today when a little family argument took place. Then I realized: I can't pick my family, so I might as well deal with them. Sue Sylvester works to maintain a relationship with her mentally challenged sister, Kurt and his father struggle over homosexuality issues, the list goes on and on. The bottom line is that at the end of the day, they're our family. While it's hard to appreciate them in times of conflict, they're probably the most important people in our lives.

                           The moment that Kurt and Finn become brothers.

                                          Sue and her sister bonding.

 

Kurt and his father reconciling differences.

At least we don't have Sue's mother as ours, right? She's so bad that even Sue calls her a "bully".

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

3. The grass isn't always greener on the other side...(I know, I know, it's a cliche, but hey, it's the truth).

    Kurt is bullied at McKinley High, so he transfers to Dalton Academy in order to feel safe. While he is safer, he realizes what he left behind at McKinley, and at Sectionals, he tells Rachel that he misses New Directions. I guess he (like many of us), didn't realize what he had until he lost it. Oh, Kurt.

In order to avoid this...

                              Kurt made the change and transferred to Dalton.

Did he make the right decision? I don't think he is as happy at Dalton Academy as he was at McKinley. Obviously the bullying stopped, but he got along so much better with the New Directions kids. Plus, I miss his stylish outfits he used to wear to McKinley High.


To watch the full episode "Special Education", click here: http://www.fox.com/glee/full-episodes/ 

Life Lesson I've Learned from Glee

2. What Goes Around Comes Around

Two words: Quinn Fabray. She learned this lesson the hard way. Once the head cheerleader and most popular girl at McKinley High, her reputation was destroyed when she got pregnant, kicked off the Cheerios, and joined the Glee club. It took these three events in order for her to see that being mean to others doesn't pay off.
What does this mean for the rest of us? Learn from Quinn. Making fun of the "losers" and being a snob just because you get to wear a Cheerios uniform will eventually come back to haunt you, hopefully minus the pregnancy part.

Click here for a reminder of Quinn's bad behavior:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY_Ay0_LpQY

Life Lessons I've Learned from Glee

1. Don't be Afraid to Stand Out

Isn't this basically the Golden Rule of Glee? Every member struggles with this, and while they shine on stage while singing and dancing, the rest of us at home are left to wonder why our insecurities don't vanish whenever we dance to "Single Ladies". The point is this: they aren't afraid to stand out. Everyone is different, and that's what makes it such an amazing show to watch. What if all the girls were head cheerleaders who dated the football captain like Quinn? What if all the guys were just as good looking as Puck? Everything is better when people stand out for unique reasons. My favorite aspect of Glee is that they are breaking down the stereotypical TV image for high school kids. Enough with the perfect "high school" kids on tv, I'll take Mercedes and Tina over them any day.

Glee shows viewers that it's important to stand out. Here are some moments of Gleeks standing out  :)

P.S. Even though they look super confident on TV, here is what high school was really like for Glee stars: http://www.fancast.com/tv/Glee/103049/1163676460/What-was-high-school-like-for-you-/videos

Hi everyone! This Tuesday, January 18, the episode "Never Been Kissed" airs again on Fox. Yes, we've seen it before, but it's one of the best episodes. Coach Beiste and Kurt have never been kissed, and the Glee guys come up with a way to "cool down" when they're making out with their girlfriends: picturing Coach Beiste. Who can forget how sad it was when Will Schuester told her the news? And Kurt thinks about leaving McKinley High for Dalton Academy (who could blame him when Blaine is there? I would transfer just to see him on a daily basis). So here is a little tribute to "Never Been Kissed". Could the Dalton Academy boy's rendition of "Teenage Dream" be any CUTER?

                                        Kurt meets the boys at Dalton Academy

              Coach Beiste (awwww, she breaks my heart just looking at her)
 
 For the boys' performance of Katy Perry's song, click here:  http://www.movieweb.com/tv/TEGTcpWRL2ZLKP/teenage-dream

Glee Cast at FOX Winter All Star Party 2011

The Glee cast attended the FOX Winter All Star Party and looked (as usual), amazing. Here are the pictures from the party. Jayma Hayes looks beautiful (such a change from the obsessive-compulsive guidance counselor). How cute is Matthew Morrison?

For a quick interview with Jenna Ushkowitz at this party, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiWtIyFsxoc

Glee Cast at the Emmy Awards

Although the awards have passed, it is definitely worthwile noting how AMAZING The Glee cast looked at the 2010 Emmy Awards. I love that the cast has so much personality on screen and can look like this on the red carpet.

                                                      Lea Michele

                                                          Dianna Argon

                                                    Cory, Jane, and Matthew

                                                          Heather Morris

                                                      Jenna Ushkowitz

                                                           Amber Riley

                                                           Naya Rivera

      And last but not least, Jane Lynch. Who would've thought she looked like THAT under those gymsuits?