ok. i have been thinking about this a lot over the past two days... and i think i have finally figured out how i want to respond.

as much as i always appreciate the concerned IMs and emails and shout outs full of compliments and encouraging words...

THAT WAS NOT MY INTENTION, GOAL, OR POINT AT ALL.

i was voicing my opinions on a much larger issue than my own self esteem. i was apparently too naive to realize that i could not generate a forum for actual discussion on the topic... because all i got in return were comments meant to "make me feel better" about who i am and my physical appearance. i am not concerned with who i am or my physical appearance... i thought it was a known fact that i wear my heart on my sleeve and am very comfortable with who i am. the whole point of my vent was that i feel like a majority of my fellow females aren't happy with themselves and seem to define their self worth by their physical appearance... and i want to know why. it makes me sad. it makes me think that i am a freakish minority and that maybe i missed something. and when i typed up that post... it really had gotten to me. and when i feel passionately about something... whether it be happy or sad... i am going to try and express that.

i study this stuff every day. i talk about the self and interactions with family and people and society and gobble gooble in all of my classes. an online group therapy session is the LAST thing i need.

guys, you've gotta realize that i made and update this page for purposes of my own entertainment, enjoyment and personal growth... and i like to share some of that with you all. as much as you all may think it takes guts for me to put all of this out there... it really doesn't and this page does not reflect or even begin to describe or represent even a tenth of what is going on in my life. this is my own personal portal to share SOME of my thoughts and such with the internet nerds.

so please, don't take this the wrong way... but lighten up! discuss! for those of you who know me in the flesh... you should know that i love discussing, debating and can get very emotional and heated in expressing my opinions. but come on... i am almost insulted at the way this has turned into some "let's everyone get concerned for lizzie" charade.