So I have come to a grand realization lately. For a long time I've been very hard on myself when it comes to my appearance, but for some reason, just the other day I passed myself in the mirror and had to look twice. Who is she! And what is she doing in my mirror? Who is this girl grown up? When just a few weeks ago I would have told you I am quite awkward, plump, slightly over fed, dull, lack luster and plain; this week I will tell you that I am daringly pretty with a sharper edge and tighter curves than I have ever imagined I would be.

But what's really weird is that I'm not the only one to notice my new sinews. Just yesterday, an old friend of mine and I were speaking on AIM and he proceeded to tell me that because I have no idea how beautiful I really am that it makes me that much more breath-taking. While three days ago, another friend compared me to girls on billboards, in magazines, in their imaginations, saying to me that if he and his married friends take the chances to speak with me and come around without consent from their much-loved wives then I must be more enthralling than I think.

But the real kicker was a high school buddy that proceeded to compare me to Helen of Troy. "Your face, ten times finer than hers, would have launched 10 times a thousand ships and would have burnt the hearts of many more men than Helen would have ever dreamed." Keep the compliments coming I suppose. I'm just trying to get used to having a little confidence. Anything like this ever happen to you? Did you not recognize yourself one day?

Even with this new found glory, I cant help but hesitate. Maybe it was just a skinny mirror. Perhaps I just needed some food. The lighting was good. They were my best pants. I'm just hallucinating. But whatever the case may be, I'm pretty empowered by my Lindsey of Troy comment and I don't want it to stop.

Self-confident at last,

Linz