The Merits of Getting Married and Doing it Right!

Great Article - Worth the Read

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/01/26/man-top-5-reasons-to-grow-up-and-get-married/

Impersonation

Yesterday, I felt a new type of violation. For the first time, I found out that someone clear in Virginia was impersonating me. I decided to look through my "Other" messages in facebook. Over a year ago, a guy wrote me saying, "lol I had somebody sending me pics of you pretending to be you. I used a google image search to see if they were who they said, and it sent me to your blog. Funny." I naturally dismissed it as a ploy to try and get a response out of me, so I ignored it.

Then I saw I had received another message from a different guy a couple months ago saying:

"Ok so I dont want this to be weird to you and I know you have a fiancee. I dont know how to say this but here's a start. A few weeks ago someone made a facebook account by the name Kelsey Battaglia. All her photos consisted of all of yours etc. This person behind all this made me fall hard for you until one day I did some research and found the real you. If you dont believe me I have proof lol. I dont want to stir up anything between you and your love but I wanted you to know that someone stole your pictures and was living a fantasy through them and made me think otherwise. I later confronted them about it and they deleted it. I then I found out who it really was. If you need to know anything else just message me back. Have a good one."


So this really had my intention. If it was just a ploy, why would he offer proof and give me her name? Also, he had recently just gotten back together with his baby momma (a couple weeks after writing me). I felt bad for the guy, being deceived like that. So I looked up her name and this is what I saw...

I stared in shock for a moment and had a knot in my stomach. I felt like someone stole my identity! As I flipped through her profile pictures, they were all of me. She even cropped Marc out of one of my pictures! I used to have all of my albums private except for profile pictures and the albums of Marc and I. But I immediately made everything private so this doesn't happen again. I wrote her to remove my pictures and I reported her to facebook. They investigated it and removed her profile within an hour. 

Apparently, you can search on google through images. That's how those two men found me, because my picture led to my blog/facebook/etc. What a trip... I can't believe she had been doing that for over a year!!! I mean, the only bright side is that it was kind of flattering.. I guess? Anyway, I felt like I needed to take a shower haha I sure had a good workout last night getting out my frustration! I definitely have learned my lesson.. Keep your facebook private people!!! As for this blog? I guess there isn't a privacy setting huh... oh well. Now I'm paranoid and keep doing image searches of myself lol

Friendships

This past Sunday, I went to my friend's baby shower. I can't believe I've known her since I was in preschool! It was a great time, even though I had to face an old friend.. We parted ways about 5 months ago. It was very painful to see her, but I had the closure I needed. We were friendly and didn't cause awkwardness. When I drove away, I felt like I finally let go of who we used to be. Maybe one day, by the reconciling power of God, we will be sisters once again.

The following applies to a group, not just one person: Sometimes when people change, they change in different directions. I'm not the same person I was a year ago, but it doesn't mean I judge those who haven't made the same choices as me. But on the other hand, there is a definite disconnect when two people are on completely separate stages in life, and it becomes harder and harder to see eye to eye.  I used to act in a way that was a horrible witness to Christ. I had poor self worth, therefore my decisions reflected that. I tried justifying my actions,but deep down I knew I was being self destructive. Once I started to realize who I was again and got serious help, which in turn changed my decisions, I was viewed as a hypocrite by those who knew the Maria that was lost. When in reality, they didn't like the fact that I wasn't taking part in certain things to make them feel better about doing it themselves, which made them feel judged. I never judged them because they knew all of my awful mistakes and dark past. I'm the last person that would have a right to judge them. But they felt convicted all the same, and distanced themselves from me until we didn't recognize each other anymore. It's very lonely to remove yourself from the comfortable and to "go against the flow". I never expected to lose so many friends.. But when I take a step back and evaluate those friendships with opened eyes, I realize how much I poured into them with little in return. I was so focused on pleasing and maintaining friendships that had no fruit. At one time they did, but they eventually turned sour. I'm moving on to being much more cautious about who I allow to be close to me. Just like we're supposed to be "equally yoked" in romantic relationships, we are also supposed to be that way in close friendships, unless it's a mentorship type of relationship. Anyway, God is healing those wounds, and I'm becoming who I'm supposed to be.

Here are some pics from the baby shower:

These two guys have stuck by me through thick and thin. I'm grateful for them.

Shut Your Mouth!

Wait for the surprise guest! I was fortunate enough to see him preach years ago at Bayside Granite Bay before he met his wife. My problems seem very minute right now. I pray I can keep this perspective every day!

Experimenting

I've been experimenting with different looks lately, thanks to Forever 21 and Sammydress.com :)

This is my necklace from Sammydress.com worn in the last picture

Get Ready

for a really really long post haha

I wanted to share some pics from Instagram that I've accumulated over the past year. Some are funny - Some are words of advice - Some are spiritual - and some are romantic. I'll start posting them once a month.  I guess this is the only time when a Tumblr would come in handy, in my opinion. Other than that, it seems too jumbled and unorganized. I like to keep things simple and organized. Hope you enjoy!