september update

It seems like a lot of stuff has happened since BEDA ended, and it seems like it's been forever since I really blogged.  As the title would say, this is a bit of an update of all the odds and ends that have happened since BEDA ended, initially just a rundown of everything that has happened in September thus far and what is happening the last week of the month that I may not get around to sharing for a while.

Side note, these probably aren't in order either, though like anyone would know except the ones who I go to school with.

PART 1

Unfortunately, I fell behind in Doctor Who. *cries* I'm like three weeks behind, which really sucks, because I found a lot of secret Whovians at my school who really want to discuss it with me, but I turn and walk away from them because I don't want any more of the plot spoiled than it already has from the interwebs...  And as much as I'd like to say I'd be caught up in the next week or so, that won't happen, because of what else I'm about to say.

PART 2

We finally know what musical we're putting on; Guys and Dolls. So that's a thing now.  Also, I'm no longer doing costumes, and I'll explain this within the week because it's too lengthy of a explanation to put in this post because you'll all get bored and hate me forever, so I'll just post it separately so you can skip the nonsense if wanted.

Since I'm still talking about GaD, I'll mention that Tuesday I auditioned, and then got a call back on Friday.  And then, late Friday night the casting list was posted.  I got cast in chorus....again.  My feelings on this are a bit weird, but I'm excited to be back performing and just being with a show in general.  It's not like I'm going to quit because of it, that's just redonkulous to even think.

Also, rehearsals are four times a week for three hours a night, so blogging time has been cut even shorter as is my free time for nearly everything else.  So if you see me missing on the interwebs, don't worry, I'm still alive, just sleeping, eating, rehearsing, homework and school.

PART 3

Beowulf.

PART 4

I've been working on my college admission application this week, and at first when I started it I was freaking out because I couldn't believe the time had finally come that I was filling out important papers that would affect the rest of my life.  Now, it's like a normal activity around here.  I've got probably five different lists on different things that all tie back into next year.

Also, we've (meaning my mom and I) have been figuring out graduation details since the company that the school goes through came on Thursday and are demanding a down payment of at least $60 by Tuesday for cap and gown and a whole bunch of other crap.  So that's a thing.

PART 5

Currently, our boys are 4-0 for the football season.  Which is really fantastic, because we've got a great team of boys playing this year.  This week is homecoming week, so that's a thing that you'll probably hear about sooner or later. Though, at this rate, probably later if at all.

PART 6

I went to get my back and neck adjusted today at my family doctor's office; and he's really into the intern/med student training stuff, so he nearly always has a med student around his office.  Well, I got stuck with another one today, and normally I hate getting stuck with them because with me, most of the time I have to go through my back story of medical problems, mainly those that are about my hip and ears. But I remembered today that med students have to start some where. And he was a third year, so it's not like he knew nothing at all.  Also, I remembered my friend Taylor who is studying bio at the University of Kansas.

He, the med student, I don't remember his name, was actually quite better than I expected.  He even poked fun at the fact that he's the stereotypical short Asian man when he had to go get a step stool from the other room so he could get more height when he popped my upper back.


days until ACT: 25
days until the fall musical: 49
days until I become an adult: 103
days until graduation: 234

the versatile blogger(s)

I want to thank the ever strong and beautiful Kathy for the honor of giving me my first blogging award.  And since I haven't been able to get around to posting this since today, I also received the same one from the ever amazing Steph.  I honestly didn't ever expect to receive one of these; I just enjoy blogging.

Seven facts about me:

1. I had braces for less than two years; and didn't wear my retainers like I should have.

2. I always keep a roll of toilet paper in my car.

3. I'm thinking of minoring in new media.

4. I name inanimate objects, like the hanging mics on our stage (Alfred, Bethany, Casper, Dante, Eve, Fred and George).

5. I obsessed with sticky notes.

6. I miss playing volleyball.

7. I want to someday do a collab blogging project.

And now, to pass it to:

• A Little This, A little That --> Erin
• Tasha's Treasure Trove --> Natasha
• Thoughts for the Painfully Indie --> Anna

10DYC: one picture (of me)

To be quite honest, there's not many pictures of just me, so I had few to chose from; but I chose this one to share because of a few reasons.  This was taken by one of my best friends last spring at my junior prom.  I hadn't planned on going since I had been out of school recovering from my hip replacement even though the principal said that I could attend.  One night, when a close group of my friends randomly showed up at my house at like nine, my parents actually hadn't minded, though I think they might have known about the impromptu visit, to visit me since I had been getting really tired of staying at home all the time though I was able to walk again by myself.  The dress that I'm wearing in the picture was actually my bridesmaid dress that I wore for my brother's wedding two years earlier.  I had it hanging in my room on my wall, and eventually it sparked conversation about prom; and as good friends they are, they ended up talking me into going to prom.  My mom and I searched all over Wichita for gold flats to wear with my dress since I couldn't quite wear heels. Although it was a pain in the ass, looking back it was fun.  Prom was one of the first times I really felt like a teen since I didn't have hip pain to worry about later, I wasn't worrying about later that night (I should say morning...) but living in the moment.  We had a huge group dinner at one of our friend's house, and the night in general was so much fun. I'm happy that my friends talked me into going, and that my mom urged me to go.  Plus, my surgeon and nurses were pushing me to go too. 

days until ACT: 27
days until the fall musical: 51
days until I become an adult: 105
days until graduation: 236

10DYC: two songs

This one was really difficult for me.  But I think I have this narrowed down as best as I can.

Just Fishin' by Trace Adkins

The greatest memories of my dad that I have are the times that he's taken me fishing.  I can remember even when I was younger and we'd go out to the lake to fish.  I used to be a really inpatient child, and sometimes I still am, but he was always patient with me.  This song just reminds me of all those fishing trips I went on with my dad.

Have You Forgotten by Darryl Worley

I can't even begin to express everything about this song that makes me love it so much.  I can share that a short time after 9/11 the old amusement park, Joyland, which isn't operating anymore, had a veteran's/military day.  Upon entering the park, they were handing out copies of the official Darryl Worley cd that only had this song on it.  Every time I listen to this song, I remember 9/11 and how confused me and my fellow classmates were.  I mean, we were only second graders when it happened.  Half of us thought that it was a horrible movie.  I guess what I'm trying to get at, is that this song makes me remember this historic event.

days until ACT: 28
days until the fall musical: 52
days until I become an adult: 106
days until graduation: 237

10DYC: three movies

This was quite possibly the easiest one to do, just for the fact that I have three favorite movies, and I just can not chose a favorite of the three.  My reasons behind why I love them so much, well, they're a bit difficult to explain.

1. The Great Debaters

Besides the fact that I love debate, I love this movie because of the historical references that they included.  The acting is just fantastic and I can simply watch this movie over and over again. Plus, it's a Harpo film, if that counts for anything.  Another one of my favorite quotes comes from this movie, and it's also currently at the top of this blog.

"We do what we have to do,

so we can do what we want to do."

2. Soul Surfer

I first saw this movie with my youth leader and one of my friends from church when it first came out in theatres.  I didn't really know what to expect going into the movie, but I had an open mind about it.  I remember at one point, crying during the movie and I still do at the same part.  I love this movie because I feel a connection to the story line, it has also explained things to me that no one has been able to do.

Sidenote: we're actually doing a bible study group over this movie in our church youth group.

The outline for the group is supposed to last until the end of December if I remember correctly.

Once we finish the study over this movie, I'll write a full review over it and explain exactly 

what I thought about it.

2. The Ultimate Gift

I can't even begin to explain this one.  I can say that I cry, without doubt, every single time I watch it.  I also have a form of a connection to this story line as well, though in a slightly different sense.  I seriously can't even explain my reasons why I love this movie because they're so complex that my brain hasn't even completely comprehended them.

Today is awesome because tomorrow is Friday!

days until ACT: 29
days until the fall musical: 53
days until I become an adult: 107
days until graduation: 238

10DYC: four books

This one was a lot harder to do, just for the fact that I read often but there aren't many books that truly stick out to me.

1. Looking for Alaska

by John Green

I read this over the summer, and though I thought it was a decent book I haven't really thought much about it recently.  It did however give me a lot of food for thought that I thought about a lot over the summer.  One of my favorite quotes actually comes from this book that helped me sort my thoughts out about a situation with a friend of mine that had happened a few years ago.

"Because memories fall apart, too. And

then you're left with nothing, left not even

with a ghost but with it's shadow."

2. The Dictionary

I know: I'm such a nerd.  But seriously, I love the dictionary.  I have a college Merriam Webster dictionary, hard back that my mom bought me last year when school started.  I used it primarily for debate, so there's a ton of sticky notes in it, and I've highlighted important words, that usually pertain to the government in some sort of way.  My English teacher a few weeks ago assigned us this vocabulary list and asked us how we were going to complete it. Someone said to look the words up in the dictionary, and she said that took too long, and that no one wanted to lug around a dictionary. Unknown to most, I keep my dictionary in my car. And I even named it Lucy.

3. Kansas Curiosities

by Pam Grout

I prefer to read things with historical references in them, or history books in general.  Once again, I know I'ma nerd.  While I was living in the library this past summer, I found this book called Kansas Curiosities in the new section.  Considering I love my state a lot and the cover looked interesting I checked it out.  I seriously learned a lot about my home state that I didn't even begin to know.  I read most of the book outloud to my mom, and she didn't know of half the things.  The book basically gives you interesting places to go visit throughout Kansas and a description of the history pertaining to that place.  I've been to about a third of the places in the book (which is the second edition, I have yet to read the first edition).  This book inspired me so much as to put the entire book on my bucket list; I want to check every single one of those places off before I die. And there's a lot of them.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

by J. K. Rowling

I've basically grown up with the Harry Potter series, and I have to thank, again, J. K. for such a brilliant series. In general, the Harry Potter series has helped me through a lot of hard times but if I really had to chose a favorite of them all, I'd chose Deathly Hallows.  Deathly Hallows just seems to be the beginning of everything to me.  Yeah it's the ending to the series, but the fact that it still leaves room for imaging what happens afterwards is nice.  I can't even fully explain why I love Deathly Hallows as much as I do.

Today is awesome because: I'm giving blood for the first time at the American Red Cross who come to our school once a year. Bit nervous, but I"ll be fine.

days until ACT: 30
days until the fall musical: 54
days until I become an adult: 108
days until graduation: 239

10DYC: five foods

1. Fish and Chips

In our family, we fish quite a lot, and we eat fish even more often.  Doesn't matter what time of year it is, I'm always hungry for fish and chips.

2. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Still to this day I love this simple and easy sandwich that I ate often as a child.  We can never keep cheese in our house very long because I eat grilled cheese sandwiches so often.

3. Cake

I love a good cake. And that's all there is to it.  Although I would have to say my favorite is German Chocolate. But really, any cake is good for me.

4. Potato Soup

I usually don't care for potato soup, it usually depends on the way it's made if I like it or not.  But I'll try different varieties; but both my mom and dad make excellent potato soups, and they're both quite different from each other.

5. Chile Relleno

There's a local authentic Mexican restaurant near us, and they have the best chile relleno ever. It has to be my favorite Mexican food, and it definitely beats out Taco Bell.

Today is awesome: because I've got auditions tonight for our school musical: Guys and Dolls...I'll explain my change from backstage to stage this show in a few more days, hopefully by then I'll know my role.

days until ACT: 31
days until the fall musical: 55
days until I become an adult: 109
days until graduation: 240

10DYC: six places

1. The Family Farm: by family farm, I mean the family farm out in the middle of western Kansas in the country (somewhere nearish to Pratt) where there aren't any street signs and you have to know exactly where you're going or you end up in Africa (an exaggeration obviously, but you get my point I'm sure).  I love the farm, mostly because of the pond.  I've had so many memorable times at the pond every summer I get so excited just thinking about it.  It's probably one of my most favorite places ever.

2. Winfield: we don't go to Winfield all that often, but since I'll be in college down there next year, I'll be down there basically 24/7 for at least four maybe five years.  I love Winfield so much, it has such a good vibe when I'm down there. Saying I'm excited to move to Winfield is an understatement for sure.

3. Mulvane: There have been times in the last several years where I've hated Mulvane.  But that was before I appreciated things more than at face value like I used to.  Mulvane has it's flaws like every other place in the universe, but it holds a special place in my heart and not just because it's my home town.  Mulvane has a vibe to it where you know there's a community of people who love this area.  And I don't mean to toot our horn or anything, but our football team this year is pretty awesome, we won again last night at our first home game against none other than Pratt.

4. St. Louis, Missouri: Okay, I'm putting this one down on this list because St. Louis has some memory attached to it, some definitely not as good as others to remember, but it held a big part of my life at one point.

5. Heber Springs, Arkansas: My great aunt Dottie lives in Heber, and I remember when I was younger we used to go down and visit her once or twice every year.  I remember this partially because every time going down there I would end up getting sick...but Heber has a bunch of great memories attached to it.  Like the time I spent a week with Aunt Dottie just the two of us, this was back when I was a really hyper and energized child that wouldn't sit for more than a minute.  We went to the park one day and I played my heart out all day.  Heber is one of those places where it's nice to visit.

6. London: Over the last several years I've dreamed about going to London.  It seems like a really interesting place that I could probably end up spending the rest of my life in.  I really hope I get the chance to either study abroad in London, or visit/move to London in the future.

Today is awesome because: I forgot how much tea we have in stock in our cupboard, so there's always an opportunity for a tea break. (:

days until ACT: 32
days until the fall musical: 56
days until I become an adult: 110
days until graduation: 241

10DYC: seven wants

Preface: as per normal, these are in no specific order.

1. Spend Time With Family

Our family is actually quite large if you count all of the cousins, and there are a lot of the great uncles and aunts who are getting into their older years, and I really want to spend time with them all because as I've learned a couple of years ago, you may never see them again and tell them how much you love and appreciate them.

2. Good Health

I want to continue to be healthy, hip replacement aside, I'm pretty healthy; and I hope that continues so I can continue to live life to it's fullest.

3.  To Travel The World

There are so many places I want to travel to that it'd just be easier to say I want to travel the world, which is actually quite accurate in many senses.  Some specific places include but are not limited to: London, Zambia, Moscow, Copenhagen, Greece, Scotland, Germany and Hawaii.

4. Make Something Of My YouTube Channel

As of now, my YouTube channel has no uploaded videos on it. I'm wanting to get some content up within the next year because as internet based as I can be at times, I think I could really enjoy YouTube from a vlogging standpoint and not just be a "watcher".

5. Laugh Often And Be Happy In General

I want to be in general happy with myself and life; and to laugh often because it usually leads to me being happy.

6. Go Fishing Whenever

Practicallity of this one? Hardly. But seeing as fishing keeps me calm, I'd love to go fishing whenever I wanted/needed to.

7. Acquire PhD In History

This has definitely been a goal for about a year now, I love history so much that I can see myself devoting most of my life to research.  Among all things that come with a doctorate in history, I just want to be able to express the importance of history to younger generations so they can appreciate life more.

Today is awesome because: it's been raining most of the day, and it's basically been raining for three days now. I'm in such a good mood right now, mostly to do with the weather status.

days until ACT: 33

days until the fall musical: 57

days until I become an adult: 111

days until graduation: 242

10DYC: eight fears

1. Falling: I didn't realize this until the other night, that I constantly fear falling.  I'm always cautious when I go to a new place and when I don't know what the floor/ground is like. And in general it's always at the front of my mind. I'm scared to fall. I'm scared that I'll get tripped in the halls at school and fall. I don't want to find out what happens to my hip if it does happen. I always fear the worse.

2. Public speaking: I kind of touched on this before, and though I'm outgoing to an extent, I get really nervous when it involves speaking to a large group of people at once, including acting/performing. But this fear, I can control for the most part, I mean, I do theatre, debate and forensics, I kind of have to have some control.

3. I won't be able to share my experiences: one of the things I'm really big on is sharing major experiences with people.  You can always learn something new through relaying experiences that you've gone through and I feel like I can help inspire at least one person out there, and I don't miss out on that opportunity.

4. Never getting over the mentallity of "I can't do that": Part of my brain still stops me and says, "Don't do that, you can't do that" because a lot of things I couldn't do before I had a hip replacement, my brain still thinks that I can't do those things.  It's so incredibly frustrating when I can't put my own socks and shoes on like a normal person because my brain tells my body it can't move that way.

5.  The road ahead: now that I think about it, this is probably the most cliche answer that I could answer.  I'm a bit scared of what life has to offer me down the road.  I fantasize about how I want things to go, but I know for a fact that things will turn out exactly the way I imagine them.

6.  The dark: depending on where I'm at I have different feelings about the darkness.  But there's something about not knowing what's out there that I can't see is what gets me.  I've been keeping an open mind though, so I don't get paranoid too much; that's how I deal with darkness when I go camping.

7.  I won't make amends with the people I've had problems with in the past:  there aren't many people who this would apply to, but there a couple.  I want to make amends with those people at some point so I can move on completely.  Not necessarily forgiving them, because you can't just forgive once, it's something you have to keep working on.

Today is awesome because: I really don't need to go any where, and it's a perfect "stay in pajamas and work from bed" type of day since it's been all rainy and stuff since last night's game.

days until ACT: 34

days until the fall musical: 58 (up until now I've been counting wrong....)

days until I become an adult: 112

days until graduation: 243

10DYC: nine loves

Preface: these are in no specific order.

1. family: I have absolutely no idea what I would do without my family, and by family I mean my parents, brother, and all extended family including the uncountable cousins and aunts and uncles.

2. fishing: my biggest stress reliever and an activity/hobby that I really enjoy.

3. books: they offer so much but yet so many people don't give books and reading enough credit.

4. writing: I've never really been into keeping a steady writing project going, with the exception of BEDA which surprised me, but there's something about writing in general that makes me calm.

5. nature: If I hadn't gotten so adjusted to living with so much technology I would love to live in a basic house structure out in the country and just take in everything that nature has to offer.  It's so beautiful but yet it gets such harsh treatment.

6. traveling: I haven't been to too many places, but then when I stop and think about the opportunities I've had and really consider myself lucky.  I've been all over my home state of Kansas (which I love so dearly) and several of the states in the mid-west, plus several parts of California.  There's something about traveling and seeing new places that really makes life interesting and fun.

7. Harry Potter: as nerdy as this is, it is indeed on my list.  Having grown up with the Harry Potter series for the majority of my life, the series has helped me through so many things.

8.  Theatre: there's something about being apart of a show that I really enjoy. I love seeing everyone's hard work be put together and show cased on show nights. Some of my most memorable experiences are from my work in theatre.

9. YouTube: there's just so much to YouTube that makes it awesome, and so lovable.  I specifically love how different everyone is and how much inspiration is spread around.

Today was awesome because: my dad took Marcella and I fishing.

days until the fall musical: 42

days until I become an adult: 124

days until graduation: 257

10DYC: ten secrets

Side note: I've really missed blogging the last few days. It feels weird not to be blogging every day.  Also, I'm doing the 10 Day You Challenge after seeing the beautiful Kathy do begin it on her blog.

1. As much as I love history and the thought of being a history major and eventually being a history teacher, part of me wants to go into business school and work with small businesses.

2. I still get extremely emotional when I think about my hip replacement, so much to that sometimes I start crying when I'm by myself.

3.  I want to live in small town, Plains, Kansas. Just because I love how far away it is from everything.

4.  I have a small collection of porcelain dolls. And after last night's episode of Doctor Who, I'm basically terrified of them.

5. It's no doubt that I love Harry Potter and everything that pertains to it. But I'm really not at all excited for Pottermore.  Come time that they open it to everyone, I'll give it it's chance and see what it's about. But I'm not too enthused by the idea of it.

6. Sometimes I feel like my brother and I aren't even siblings.  I thought for a while when I was a kid that I was an only child because at the time my brother was in Japan in the Marine Corps.  Now, I hardly talk to him, and I haven't seen him for over a year, I kind of forget about him at times. And that makes me really upset.

7.  I had a friend, we'll just call her K, who really changed my life.  It's hard to explain, but K changed it in a big way, she's part of the reason why I don't open up to people as easily as I used to and I become wary of anyone who tries to get close to me for fear that they'll hurt me emotionally.

8.  I'm scared to death to lose my mom or my dad. (no pun intended...)

9. I love my dog Missy, but I miss my dog Dusty, who died a couple of years ago.  He was the best dog I've ever had, he knew when I was sick and would lay beside my bed all day and night.  When I came home from St. Louis after that summer I was in a brace, and he'd lay beside me every night and when I needed to get up, he'd follow me around. He was THE best dog. And I feel guilty for comparing Missy to him.

10.  I've been told that I'm a good public speaker, and I know I am for the mere fact that I've done theatre, debated and done public speaking through forensics. Even though I've been doing this for over four years now, I still get so incredibly scared before hand that I feel like I'm going to get sick.

Today is awesome because: I talked my mom into rearranging the living room, and we're working on rearranging my room now. I like change like this every once in a while.

days until the fall musical: 43
days until I become an adult: 125
days until graduation: 258