Hello World

This is my first post on my blog.  Welcome.  I hope to use this site as an outlet to the world in which I share my thoughts with the greater population of people "out there."  I always jump on technical band-wagons later rather than sooner.  But it's already 2009, and it's about time.  After all, there's only so much good that can come from keeping one's thoughts to oneself, and the basic truth is that no one lives in a vacuum.  So... here goes nothing!

I should also clarify the title.  It means, according to one unverifiable online source, "a southern woman who is strong and independent yet very feminine."  Well, I should be honest with you, I am not southern.  But I like to think I fit the rest of the definition.  In all honesty, I came across the phrase in a book I was reading about women and relationships.  The author emphasized the importance of not losing one's self-respect in a relationship, and the value of independent thinking.  She stated that women should become "steel magnolias" in that they should aim to give genuine beauty and love without, however, bending easily and thoughtlessly to others' whims and hence lose their true selves.  The epitome of the female should carry these dual sides of her character (beauty and strength) with confidence and resilience.  

However you choose to see it, I like the scope of symbolism that the simple phrase imparts.