Have you ever felt so ugly that you didn’t want to leave the house so that nobody would see you? Well that is exactly how I felt when I got back from Indonesia. Either while on the boat or on the way home I contracted Impetigo on my face. I had yellow crusted blisters that burned all over my chin and I felt absolutely miserable. On top of that I decided to get a haircut AND perm it straight. Not such a smart idea since my hair is already fried and out of control. While at the hair salon the hair stylist forgot me under the dryer, my hair fried, and is ruined forever. In short I left the place crying and every day I have to pin it up so it doesn’t frizz out of control. If your having trouble picturing it I look like I am turning twelve with my bangs tied behind my ear. I know looks are definitely not everything but as a girl I do think it is important to look pretty because it makes you feel good. I was sort of down in the dumps, complaining and dwelling on the negatives for awhile and it really did take a toll on me. I ended up getting sick and frustrated, couldn’t surf and had to stay home and sleep. But enough of that, time to move forward. Today I decided to make a list of the things that I am thankful for, to try and focus on the positive things in my life. I have a great family, an awesome boyfriend, I can run, walk, smell, see, feel, taste and appreciate the world around me. I get to travel to amazing places, do something that I love and make a difference in this world. The last thing that I put on my list was that I have a beautiful smile:) The funniest part was that when my dad came upstairs to to read my list he looked at my BEAUTIFUL smile and starts laughing. Why? Well while I was writing, I was resting my lips on the back of the pen which was leaking ink and I had black all over my face! Luckily… I was able to wash it off quite easily. At least it made for a good laugh and lightened up the mood. I leave for California tomorrow night for the US Open. I am very excited. Despite what I look like on the outside, however important that may be, it’s the beauty and confidence from within that makes me who I am.