Secondhand Advice

Being the third child of four I am used to receiving hand-me-downs from my older sisters. A baby blue sweater from the late '90s, a floral summer dress, and then the almighty 1984 Nikon. I've acquired many items through my 18- soon to be 19- years of life, but none are as dear to my heart than the smarts of my sisters. Though my sisters differ in many ways, their strangeness and love for Hello Kitty have kept me loving them more and more each time I come home.
Years have passed by, and my sisters have taught me valuable lessons: how to fill out an application, the do's and don'ts of make-up, and what to do with my life. Martha and Monica have never pressured me into doing something that I didn't like (but the dresses that I didn't love is another story). They are both busy bees of the medical field, the eldest being in radiology and Monica in dentistry ( I live in a house where I am told that the way I brush my teeth now will lead to deterioration of my gums; cheers to applesauce).
The other day in the car (with my mother as well) Martha is saying some stuff that isn't out of the norm, at least not for my family. I say "Geez, guys are nothin' but trouble." Her response, " If you're a lesbian then please be with someone that is a Portia." My mommy dearests eyes were wide and staring at me. "No, mom. I like guys. They are hot; the good looking ones are my type."
No, I am not gay (but I do support the gay community). Anyways back to my point. My sisters would love me no matter what my preference. They hand down advice like it's the holy grail. "Looks like your booty is finally coming in." We were shopping and I was buying jeans. "Make sure you keep it toned." The best advice that I had recently gotten was "You be a smart hooker." Then again that was a retort that was going around in the house while my sister and I were high off hair dye. No, but seriously the best advice comes from the closets of my sisters and from their experiences.
It is the advice that my older sisters have passed down to me, along with their American Eagle jeans, that have molded my character. The pieces of advice are as follows:

• If you don't like what you see then make the change you would like so that the world may be a better place.
• Every living creature, even the ones you find icky, are apart of life so give them the respect they deserve (in other words, I should have stopped putting salt rings around slugs and snails).
• Go with your gut instinct (I still have no clue why they say this but oh to the well).
• Always make yourself presentable (who knows who you'll meet).
• Don't be a hermit (you'd be shocked to know how much fun you are when you aren't uptight).

Thanks to my big sisters for all the hand-me-downs.