Let me make this clear, I am not actually moving, this blog however is. I've made the executive decision to move Living a Life of Truth to WordPress.com. What does this mean? It means this, I will no longer be posting here, though I will not delete this blog quite yet. My regular, irregular, posting will resume here though with everything that I've been doing, including the Go Green! series as well as a new project that is in the works.
I hope that you will join me at our new home, and continue to follow me through life's twists and turns. I enjoy blogging so much and it's been a blessing to meet so many great people and hear their stories.
Days until graduation: 83
Days until moving day: 169
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Hiatus
I'm taking a break from the internet for a while. Right now, I'm planning on being gone for a week. What does this mean? It means no blog posts until I decide I'm ready to come back.
I'll explain later, or maybe not. I know I've got to do this though.
Until then.
Days until graduation: 90
Days until moving day: 176
I'll explain later, or maybe not. I know I've got to do this though.
Until then.
Days until graduation: 90
Days until moving day: 176
A to Z Challenge
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After accomplishing BEDA in August for the first time, I knew I wanted to do BEDA again this April, especially since I'm sure I'll start to feel really nostalgic and stuff since it'd be a month away from graduation.
And then I came across this A to Z challenge post that Hazel did on her blog. I decided that it had some major potential for fun and awesomeness and signed up to do it too.
Basically, each day of the month you blog for each letter of the alphabet. It's a pretty easy concept but it's going to be a challenge.
For more information, you can check out the event blog where they have all the ins and outs of the event and many pretty badges for your blog if you decide you're up for the challenge.
Ask Me Questions!
I thought I'd let everyone know, I'm on Formspring. Feel free to ask me anything. (:
Friday, February 17, 2012
It's Sinking In
Currently I'm speechless. When I admit that I'm speechless, I really am speechless. Why am I so speechless you might ask, well it's all sinking in.
In November I was shocked when I opened our mailbox to find a large envelope from SC's Green Team. Jason, the GT sponsor, was offering me a scholarship. That day, my parents and I were so tickled with that envelope we couldn't stop talking about it.
Since then the talk has died down a little bit. But everyone once in a while when we run into someone that we haven't seen in a few months, my mom is the first to share the news and smile like a grinning fool. She is also the one that talks most about SC and how excited we are about the school.
A couple of weeks ago, I finally got everything the admissions committee needed, including a few extra letters explaining why I'm one semester short on my transcript and why my grades aren't the best of things in this world. I've been milling around since then, just waiting and waiting. I tried my hardest not to think about it, but my anxiety over things reflecting a lot on my near future kind of got in the way.
I was wondering what I would do if SC didn't accept me. I hadn't planned on anything other than SC since fall of 2010 when I first met with Rodney, one of the SC representatives who has been ever so helpful over the last couple of years. I was getting pretty worked up over this too. I had started looking into some community colleges and started filling out a couple of applications. I was just worried that one of my fears was going to come true and that I would be stuck there suspended in mid air only to fall flat on my face and not be able to have a second option to turn to.
I hadn't sent any of my other applications out yet though, and what do you know, the stars aligned and God did what He does and I got a pretty e-mail in my inbox yesterday from Rodney.
What I'm getting at ladies and gentlemen is this: I'm officially a Southwestern College Moundbuilder!
I should clarify, I actually read my acceptance e-mail via Facebook. I don't know if that's a thing that SC does, or if Rodney does it, or if he did it because he's gotten to know me over the last few months and decided to let me know once he found out or not. Regardless, when I first read: "Congratulations on your acceptance to Southwestern College!" I felt mixed emotions. I felt a jolt of excitement, a rush of adrenaline and a little shock. It happened so fast that I actually started crying on the spot.
I of course, yelled too. After managing to calm the dogs down I called my mom, though I was still crying. She was confused at first because I had stayed home yesterday and went to the doctor because of a horrible ear ache. Later she told me that she thought something bad had happened at the doctor's office. I told her the news though, over the phone, even though I'm not supposed to call her at work, I just couldn't contain the excitement and I had to share it with her; she had worked so hard with me to get here, I couldn't wait until she got home.
Rodney had told me to watch in the mail for a purple envelope in the mail with the official letter and the typical "you've been accepted" type things. I was expecting Tuesday to see my purple evelope in the rusted out and bullet hole covered mailbox. Low and behold, today when we got home from the Sport Boat and Travel Show, mom checked the mailbox and found a PURPLE envelope. We both screamed in excitement.
Of course, we all rushed inside so I could open it. It was probably a good thing I waited to open it in the house because it was packed with lots of SC goodies.
Now, as I'm sitting here with a pounding headache and my ears aching so badly I want to scratch the entire ear canal out of my body, I realize that this is really happening. I'm growing up. Before I know it graduation will be here and then gone. New Orleans trip will have passed and I'll be starting a brand new chapter in a massive series of books called My Life as I begin college. As much as I want to say "This can't be true, pinch me and I'll wake up", I know it isn't.
The last few months I think my parents have slowly started realizing these things too. That in a few short months they'll be following me down to Winfield and helping me move into my first living space outside of their house and then leaving me behind when they go home. My dad though, I kind of worry what he'll be like when that time comes. I know that both of my parents are going to try to be the big macho parents on campus and try sucking it up and not crying in front of me, but I know they will.
Especially my dad. We've been through a lot this past year, and in 2012, though we're only two months in, we've spent a lot of time together and have had some great laughs (so many in fact there were a few instances where I'm sure we almost pooped ourselves...). I guess in some ways I'm kind of a daddy's girl. He'll be the first to break, I just know it. But this isn't what I'm worried about. I know it's normal for parents to get emotional about their children moving out and things, especially their youngest, I get it. I'm worried about how my dad will handle it two or three months after they leave me at school. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to be one of those kids who comes home only on holidays, I live too close to do that kind of thing, plus, I love my family and my mom's cooking. I think it's just going to be hard for him because we've begun to patch our relationship up and then I'm moving out.
I know though, that this is just something we're all going to have to adjust to. Life is constantly changing and we're all having to constantly adapt. I'm sure the first few months will be difficult on all of us, but I know we're going to make it through, we have no other choice, eh? If there's anything else I know, it's that God will be with both of my parents and make them feel secure about everything.
Bit of a long winded post, eh? I just had to share the news and feelings, it's a massive thing happening. I mean, actually, legitimately, happening now. It's all real.
Also, while we were out and about today, that is before we came home to my purple envelope, we some how ended up in a kitchen store some where between Park City and Newton (I fell asleep after we hit Park City, so I really don't know where it's at) and I found a jinx cookie cutter! The jinx cat is affiliated with SC, it's kind of the unofficial mascot for the school, I'll have to explain soon. I'll have to make sure to post photos of my test cookies for graduation using the jinx cookie cutter. (:
Link of the day: Awesomeness that is my good friend Jess, who I met via the internet a couple years ago. She lives across that MASSIVE pond and makes cakes that make me drool. She's pretty awesome.
Days until graduation: 91
Days until moving day: 177
In November I was shocked when I opened our mailbox to find a large envelope from SC's Green Team. Jason, the GT sponsor, was offering me a scholarship. That day, my parents and I were so tickled with that envelope we couldn't stop talking about it.
Since then the talk has died down a little bit. But everyone once in a while when we run into someone that we haven't seen in a few months, my mom is the first to share the news and smile like a grinning fool. She is also the one that talks most about SC and how excited we are about the school.
A couple of weeks ago, I finally got everything the admissions committee needed, including a few extra letters explaining why I'm one semester short on my transcript and why my grades aren't the best of things in this world. I've been milling around since then, just waiting and waiting. I tried my hardest not to think about it, but my anxiety over things reflecting a lot on my near future kind of got in the way.
I was wondering what I would do if SC didn't accept me. I hadn't planned on anything other than SC since fall of 2010 when I first met with Rodney, one of the SC representatives who has been ever so helpful over the last couple of years. I was getting pretty worked up over this too. I had started looking into some community colleges and started filling out a couple of applications. I was just worried that one of my fears was going to come true and that I would be stuck there suspended in mid air only to fall flat on my face and not be able to have a second option to turn to.
I hadn't sent any of my other applications out yet though, and what do you know, the stars aligned and God did what He does and I got a pretty e-mail in my inbox yesterday from Rodney.
What I'm getting at ladies and gentlemen is this: I'm officially a Southwestern College Moundbuilder!
I should clarify, I actually read my acceptance e-mail via Facebook. I don't know if that's a thing that SC does, or if Rodney does it, or if he did it because he's gotten to know me over the last few months and decided to let me know once he found out or not. Regardless, when I first read: "Congratulations on your acceptance to Southwestern College!" I felt mixed emotions. I felt a jolt of excitement, a rush of adrenaline and a little shock. It happened so fast that I actually started crying on the spot.
I of course, yelled too. After managing to calm the dogs down I called my mom, though I was still crying. She was confused at first because I had stayed home yesterday and went to the doctor because of a horrible ear ache. Later she told me that she thought something bad had happened at the doctor's office. I told her the news though, over the phone, even though I'm not supposed to call her at work, I just couldn't contain the excitement and I had to share it with her; she had worked so hard with me to get here, I couldn't wait until she got home.
Rodney had told me to watch in the mail for a purple envelope in the mail with the official letter and the typical "you've been accepted" type things. I was expecting Tuesday to see my purple evelope in the rusted out and bullet hole covered mailbox. Low and behold, today when we got home from the Sport Boat and Travel Show, mom checked the mailbox and found a PURPLE envelope. We both screamed in excitement.
 |
| We didn't realize that A) It was a big envelope or B) it was going to be that purple. |
 |
| More sticky notes, another pen with sticky notes inside, a jinx bracelet, a key holder, and another lanyard (the third one to be exact). |
 |
| I just now realized how much enthusiasm I'm lacking from being ill. But it's true, I'm accepted! |
Especially my dad. We've been through a lot this past year, and in 2012, though we're only two months in, we've spent a lot of time together and have had some great laughs (so many in fact there were a few instances where I'm sure we almost pooped ourselves...). I guess in some ways I'm kind of a daddy's girl. He'll be the first to break, I just know it. But this isn't what I'm worried about. I know it's normal for parents to get emotional about their children moving out and things, especially their youngest, I get it. I'm worried about how my dad will handle it two or three months after they leave me at school. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to be one of those kids who comes home only on holidays, I live too close to do that kind of thing, plus, I love my family and my mom's cooking. I think it's just going to be hard for him because we've begun to patch our relationship up and then I'm moving out.
I know though, that this is just something we're all going to have to adjust to. Life is constantly changing and we're all having to constantly adapt. I'm sure the first few months will be difficult on all of us, but I know we're going to make it through, we have no other choice, eh? If there's anything else I know, it's that God will be with both of my parents and make them feel secure about everything.
Bit of a long winded post, eh? I just had to share the news and feelings, it's a massive thing happening. I mean, actually, legitimately, happening now. It's all real.
Also, while we were out and about today, that is before we came home to my purple envelope, we some how ended up in a kitchen store some where between Park City and Newton (I fell asleep after we hit Park City, so I really don't know where it's at) and I found a jinx cookie cutter! The jinx cat is affiliated with SC, it's kind of the unofficial mascot for the school, I'll have to explain soon. I'll have to make sure to post photos of my test cookies for graduation using the jinx cookie cutter. (:
 |
| I wasn't even planning on having cookies at my graduation party. I couldn't pass up a jinx cookie cutter though! |
Days until graduation: 91
Days until moving day: 177
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Senior Photos
In the fall we had a family friend come to town to take my senior photos. We spent the entire day around Mulvane and out in the country in the wonderful weather taking over 200 photos total. I decided that I should probably start figuring out which ones I want to use when we send out my graduation announcements. Although, I don't know how helpful this will be since I'm planning on doing some more when it gets warmer since I've chopped my hair off and things.
Anyway. I started playing around with a few of the photos. Adding text and things. My mom had originally wanted to do it but she caved and let me do it instead. I think tomorrow I'm going to start from scratch with these again and try some new things, like change the coloring on the text so it shows up better.
This one is probably my favorite.
What do you think? I'm the first to admit that I'm a noob when it comes to editing photos, I could use some guidance. *shifty*
Link of the day: This Day in History Archaeologists opened King Tut's tomb in 1923.
Days until graduation: 92
Days until moving day: 178
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
One Year Later
One year ago I experienced for the first time ever walking with both legs at the same length. Not only were both legs finally the same length but I had two normal hips, though one was made of titanium and porcelain, either way February 14th, 2011 was a joyous day.
I've talked a fair amount about the things leading up to surgery, and even recounting everything from that day.
A year ago I wouldn't have thought that with my new hip I would have done as much as I have. I wouldn't have even began to think that I would have done a two mile walk less than eight weeks after surgery. Or that I could walk all over SC campus for the first time without missing a beat, less than eight weeks after surgery. I wouldn't even believe you if you told me that my best friend's would take me River Fest for the first time just because I wanted to walk around.
This past year has been a roller coaster ride. There were many times when I thought I couldn't do it and had lots of break downs, but I pulled through. If there's anything that this last year has taught me, it's been this: I can do anything. With the help of God holding me up when I needed it most, and letting me figure things out, I've managed to overcome so many obstacles.
How am I celebrating my one year anniversary? Walking on ice through the parking lot to get to school after nearly falling at least five times and now staying in to study for my four exams this week. I am however very appreciative of my awesome friends, family and God; without them I'm not sure what I would do.
Link of the day: Valentine's Day History, it's kind of interesting to see where it orginated from, that it's not just something that Hallmark thought up one day and decided it would be a thing from then on.
Days until Valentine's Day: 0
Days until graduation: 94
Days until moving day: 180
I've talked a fair amount about the things leading up to surgery, and even recounting everything from that day.
A year ago I wouldn't have thought that with my new hip I would have done as much as I have. I wouldn't have even began to think that I would have done a two mile walk less than eight weeks after surgery. Or that I could walk all over SC campus for the first time without missing a beat, less than eight weeks after surgery. I wouldn't even believe you if you told me that my best friend's would take me River Fest for the first time just because I wanted to walk around.
This past year has been a roller coaster ride. There were many times when I thought I couldn't do it and had lots of break downs, but I pulled through. If there's anything that this last year has taught me, it's been this: I can do anything. With the help of God holding me up when I needed it most, and letting me figure things out, I've managed to overcome so many obstacles.
How am I celebrating my one year anniversary? Walking on ice through the parking lot to get to school after nearly falling at least five times and now staying in to study for my four exams this week. I am however very appreciative of my awesome friends, family and God; without them I'm not sure what I would do.
Link of the day: Valentine's Day History, it's kind of interesting to see where it orginated from, that it's not just something that Hallmark thought up one day and decided it would be a thing from then on.
Days until Valentine's Day: 0
Days until graduation: 94
Days until moving day: 180
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
life
I found out today that a friend of mine who graduated last year is being deployed in August for Afghanistan. I knew something like this was going to happen, I mean you can't become a soldier in the United States armed forces and not expect to be deployed some where at some point. I guess the naive person that I am thought it couldn't happen this soon.
This concept is weird for me. I know what comes with being in the military, you go where you're told without asking any ifs, ands or buts. The only logical conclusion I have come up with is the fact that this whole growing up thing is really starting to sink in. I was just talking to my dad about this, about how I didn't expect him to be deployed just yet; it's hard for me to grasp the fact that we're getting older and growing up and doing things with our lives, it's not just high school any more but the real world.
I know life outside of high school will be different. I've already been figuring that out. The last month, since I've turned eighteen, my parents have been a lot more relaxed about how late I stay out and have been letting me make my own choices on a lot of things. My mom has realized this too, seeing as I have been making some better choices when it comes to certain things like school and my health. I've been taking responsiblity for the decisions I've been making, and in general have started to think more critically about things.
Tomorrow I was supposed to be boarding a bus at 7:30 am to go to Rose Hill for a conference for one of the clubs I'm in. I paid for my seat on the bus and had even asked my mom for money for lunch, but today, after I thought things through, I went in to talk to the club sponsor and told her that I was opting out of the conference to stay at school and get caught up on things. I could have easily just went ahead and went to the conference and fall behind another day but instead I decided not to.
I've been trying to brace the fact that not only am I'm an adult now but that I'll be moving out in August but at the same time I've been trying to enjoy my senior and make it memorable. It's a hard thing, especially when you realize that some of your friends are graduating college, getting married and having kids. Or as in the case I realized today, being deployed to the Middle East.
Life is a crazy thing. As much as the unknown in life scares me, I'm ready to embrace it with a open heart, mind and eyes with God beside me.
Link of the day: Noodling Just so you really know what I'm willing to do in my life at some point.
days until Valentine's Day: 6
days until graduation: 100
days until moving day: 186
Friday, February 3, 2012
what's on my mind: MDT
I was going to blog about what's been on my mind for the last day and a half...or week and a half...but I ended up vlogging it earlier today when I was driving home from school. So instead of writing out what I said and correcting my grammar, I'll just share with you my ramblings of this afternoon.
days until MDT: 1
days until Valentine's Day: 11
days until graduation: 105
Link of the Day: fyeahthespianpeacocks If I wasn't so lazy, I'd probably end up reblogging every single post.
days until MDT: 1
days until Valentine's Day: 11
days until graduation: 105
Thursday, February 2, 2012
eleven question tag
I was tagged by lovely Stephanie who has been blogging everyday over at her blog.
The Rules
Random Things about Me
Questions from Stephanie
Eleven More Questions
The Rules
- Post these rules
- Post 11 random things about yourself
- Answer the questions that tagger set for you in their post
- Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
- Go to their blog and tell them they've been tagged. (No cop-outs, like "If you're following me/reading this, you're tagged. You have to legitimately tag people)
Random Things about Me
- I love doing most yard work, makes me feel content as I do something productive.
- I will try new foods and combinations that normally aren't eaten (right now I want to try eating a cricket with Taco Bell's FIRE! sauce on it)
- When I caught my first fish when I was three on a small pink fishing pole, when I felt the bite I threw the pole down and ran to the house.
- I prefer to shoot a handgun over a shotgun.
- I promised to to take my dad deep sea fishing before he dies.
- I've never ridden a train before, though I think I'd enjoy it.
- I learned fractions by cooking with my mom when I was younger. She did the same with my brother too.
- If I didn't detest math so much I would become an astronomer.
- I wouldn't mind being trained as a storm chaser.
- I make cupcakes for my advisory class for random occasions.
- I'm scared poopless for the mystery dinner theatre on Saturday.
Questions from Stephanie
- If you could time travel, would you go to the future or the past? Why? Being the history nerd that I am, I'm going with the past. There's so many events that I would love to have been present for, it just makes me go crazy when I remember that time travel currently isn't possible. *sigh*
- What is your favourite fast food place? Unfortunately, I've eaten too much of fast food in my life and though I prefer a place that has home cooked food I'm going to have to go with Taco Bell only because it's cheap and solves my hunger when I'm on the fly during the week.
- Have you done the personality test? (here) What is your personality type? I did once, for a class a couple years ago, but I did it again anyway. INTJ
- Are you superstitious? Yup. Ask me about the Tape Ball and what happened on closing night of Guys and Dolls...
- Who is your biggest inspiration? Tough one! I normally can't single out one person on questions like these, but I'll say Oprah Winfrey. I say Oprah because of how she's turned things around in her life and has continued to pursue things even when things get tough. Crappy explanation, but that's about all the words I can string together for now.
- Did you have an imaginary friend as a child? Yes, I did. I forget her name though. We used to swing on the swing set in the back yard.
- What is your favourite season? Autumn, it's not too cold, not too warm and I can spend some of it hunting and/or fishing.
- Chocolate or lollies? Chocolate. Definitely chocolate.
- Are you allergic to anything? Food: nothing that I know of. I've eaten a lot of foods in my life so I really don't think I'm allergic to anything common. Animals: nothing, although I fear I might be allergic to bees, seeing as I've never been stung before. Medicines: Tylenol, though it's found in nearly EVERY medication out there, I just can't have an enormous amount or my blood work gets crazy.
- What are you most talented at? I really don't know, probably just being a great listener.
- Are you a grammar nazi? :P YES. For years my friends come to me to proof their papers, and I often troll Facebook to fix other's grammar in their statuses.
Eleven More Questions
- Who is your favorite actress?
- Have you ever eaten elk?
- Do you have any pets?
- How often do you read?
- Belong to any clubs/organizations during school?
- When's the last family vacation you took? Where did you go?
- Can you speak another language?
- What's your dream job?
- Have you ever met any of your blogger friends IRL?
- Do you do stuff on YouTube? If you do, will you link us?
- What's your favorite bird?
And last but not least, I tag Kathy (even though she's already done it a billion times...), and Emily. Can't wait to see your responses!
Link of the day: Heart Valentine Mahjong I've been playing it quite a few times in the last few days, it's fun and festive!
days until MDT: 2
days until Valentine's Day: 12
days until graduation: 106
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
writing insecurities
Today is the last day of January 2012. It is also the day my editorial paper for my English 3 paper was due. Let's not forget, today was also the day that my arthritis decided that it hadn't come around much and decided to kick my ass so hard I ended up staying in bed crying myself to sleep instead of going to school. Yup, what a great way to end Jaunary 2012. Don't worry though, this isn't going to be the end of today.
Although I did spend the majority of my day in my bed whimpering in pain, and the other half sitting on the couch watching Formual One Racing for no real apparant reason, I did something I've never done before.
As I said, my editorial paper was due in English today. My teacher doesn't take late papers, which is understandable since the last three years she's taught at MHS juniors just didn't show up on due day thinking they could get out of it. I made it extremely clear to my dad that he was in charge of taking my paper, research and other needed items into the school and give to the front desk. I pressured him so much he kept repeating what I said to him before he left for his doctor appointment.
I've had mixed feelings on this editorial. Not only was it my first editorial that I wrote, but I was ill the day that everyone picked topics so the ones I wanted were gone and I was left with the bottom of the barrel scraping around for something somewhat interesting to research and write about. I ended up with a topic over milk, which does sound funny I know, but it intrested me enough considering me other options so I chose it. I became extremely frustrated when I couldn't figure out how to sort through the almost meaningless research I had found, and even more frustrated when I began to actually write the paper in class and my teacher offered no real support.
The thing with me is this, I love to write. I enjoy writing papers for schools, they don't bother me. I'll put a lot of work into a project and when I turn it in I become so overly anxious and nervous that it's all I think about. Even with just free writing, I'll write for twenty minutes with no filter in my brain to see where my imagination will take me. Then, instead of sharing it I push it away into the files of my laptop to never been seen again. Even when it comes to blogging I second guess my abilities when I post something. I wonder if I wrote that to the best of my abilities or if I just half assed it and should delete it to just forget it ever happened.
I'm sure that several people feel similiar, that they work really hard on a project and then fear for rejection or something similiar. It really upsets me though. I love writing so much, and it's become ever so apparant in the last few months. With working on the Secret Book project, it makes me nervous already, and I'm only within the first five chapters of the book.
What I did today though, it took a lot of talking to myself to do it but I did it. I put my editorial on Writing.com for the whole interwebs to see. I won't lie, I was extremely nervous when I pressed the saved button even though I knew I should be confident in my hard work and writing. I then left the website for a hour or so and focused on some other things. When I went back, I was shocked to find that I had two reviews on my editorial, both of which where informative and offered very good advice in how to tweak a few things and urging me to continue to write.
Just those two reviews changed my thinking on my abilitiy as a writer. I know I'm not the best that I can achieve, I still have a lot of work to do to better my writing skills. I also know that not everyone will like what I produce, and that's fine. I feel a lot better now in more ways than I can describe, taking that plunge and hitting save was what it took to show myself that the things I produce aren't all that bad.
Out of all this, it made my day considerably better and gives me the push I needed to keep on writing.
If you feel so inclined to read my editorial, it can be found here.
Now, I just need to push through my reading and tackle that book report for Topics.
days until MDT: 4
days until Valentine's Day: 14
days until graduation: 108
Although I did spend the majority of my day in my bed whimpering in pain, and the other half sitting on the couch watching Formual One Racing for no real apparant reason, I did something I've never done before.
As I said, my editorial paper was due in English today. My teacher doesn't take late papers, which is understandable since the last three years she's taught at MHS juniors just didn't show up on due day thinking they could get out of it. I made it extremely clear to my dad that he was in charge of taking my paper, research and other needed items into the school and give to the front desk. I pressured him so much he kept repeating what I said to him before he left for his doctor appointment.
I've had mixed feelings on this editorial. Not only was it my first editorial that I wrote, but I was ill the day that everyone picked topics so the ones I wanted were gone and I was left with the bottom of the barrel scraping around for something somewhat interesting to research and write about. I ended up with a topic over milk, which does sound funny I know, but it intrested me enough considering me other options so I chose it. I became extremely frustrated when I couldn't figure out how to sort through the almost meaningless research I had found, and even more frustrated when I began to actually write the paper in class and my teacher offered no real support.
The thing with me is this, I love to write. I enjoy writing papers for schools, they don't bother me. I'll put a lot of work into a project and when I turn it in I become so overly anxious and nervous that it's all I think about. Even with just free writing, I'll write for twenty minutes with no filter in my brain to see where my imagination will take me. Then, instead of sharing it I push it away into the files of my laptop to never been seen again. Even when it comes to blogging I second guess my abilities when I post something. I wonder if I wrote that to the best of my abilities or if I just half assed it and should delete it to just forget it ever happened.
I'm sure that several people feel similiar, that they work really hard on a project and then fear for rejection or something similiar. It really upsets me though. I love writing so much, and it's become ever so apparant in the last few months. With working on the Secret Book project, it makes me nervous already, and I'm only within the first five chapters of the book.
What I did today though, it took a lot of talking to myself to do it but I did it. I put my editorial on Writing.com for the whole interwebs to see. I won't lie, I was extremely nervous when I pressed the saved button even though I knew I should be confident in my hard work and writing. I then left the website for a hour or so and focused on some other things. When I went back, I was shocked to find that I had two reviews on my editorial, both of which where informative and offered very good advice in how to tweak a few things and urging me to continue to write.
Just those two reviews changed my thinking on my abilitiy as a writer. I know I'm not the best that I can achieve, I still have a lot of work to do to better my writing skills. I also know that not everyone will like what I produce, and that's fine. I feel a lot better now in more ways than I can describe, taking that plunge and hitting save was what it took to show myself that the things I produce aren't all that bad.
Out of all this, it made my day considerably better and gives me the push I needed to keep on writing.
If you feel so inclined to read my editorial, it can be found here.
Now, I just need to push through my reading and tackle that book report for Topics.
days until MDT: 4
days until Valentine's Day: 14
days until graduation: 108
Sunday, January 29, 2012
zen moment of the month: hunting
It's been over two years since I last held a shotgun in my hands and walked the fields of Kansas in search for pheasant. Two years doesn't seem that long, but coming from a family that goes hutning and fishing like it's a job, two years is an extremely long time.
I didn't go out hunting at all last year, even though my parents were so kind and bought me a fishing and hunting liscense combo, because at the time of opening weekend for pheasant rolled around, I was using a wheelchair to get around. There was no way in hell my mom would even think about letting me take a two hour drive out to the farm to walk in misery for a weekend. Although I was upset I couldn't go, I know deep down inside that it was the best choice we made. I woudn't have been able to last half a day out in the field if I had gone.
I went out to the farm with my dad and my uncle to give it one last chance since it was the closing weekend for pheasant and squirrel. I hadn't been able to go out in November for the opening because of the show and other things going on, it just made it impossible to take off of life for three days. Unfortunately, we didn't evens see a single pheasant while we were out there. It was pretty disheartening since it was the first time I had been out int he field since I had my hip replaced. We did see a few deer though, and a couple of squirrels that we managed to lose sight of before we could get out of the truck and get to a place where we could have a clear shot at them.
When we realized that we weren't going to get any squirrels from the property down by the creek, we set up a small target on one of the dead trees that had fallen down during a storm a couple of years ago. Dad let me shoot his .22 revolver, the one that I've been working with a lot over the last month; my uncle I think was a bit surprised at how well I could shoot, since I managed to get a bullseye on my second shot. Then, my uncle was ever so nice to let me shoot his semi-automatic 9 milimeter. I didn't do too terribly bad since that was the first time I shot a 9 mil at a target, and only the second time shooting a 8 mil in general.
Although we didn't get any game on our trip out there, or to even shoot my shotgun, I still had a lot of fun. I enjoyed being around my dad and uncle, listening to them banter back in forth retelling stories of when they were kids. I also really enjoyed the simple act of walking down the road, blocking for my uncle who was in the field. Riding in the backseat of the truck as we drove nearly every road in Pratt county, I was in awe of how simple it was out there compared to the area around Mulvane. My favorite part of the entire trip was when we went to the old creek bed that had dried up for the winter and made our own shooting range. My dad asked me to go to the truck and load his revolver. He's never asked me to do that before, it made me so incredibly happy to know that he trusts me with his beloved .22 revolver.
Link of the Day: Adventures of 2012 I haven't been on the interwebs too terribly much over the last week, so I don't have any new gems for you to go visit, so I'm sharing my adventure blog. My goal is to document 2012 in a way that is special since this year has a lot of special things in store for me.
days until MDT: 6
days until Valentine's Day: 16
days until graduation: 110
I didn't go out hunting at all last year, even though my parents were so kind and bought me a fishing and hunting liscense combo, because at the time of opening weekend for pheasant rolled around, I was using a wheelchair to get around. There was no way in hell my mom would even think about letting me take a two hour drive out to the farm to walk in misery for a weekend. Although I was upset I couldn't go, I know deep down inside that it was the best choice we made. I woudn't have been able to last half a day out in the field if I had gone.
I went out to the farm with my dad and my uncle to give it one last chance since it was the closing weekend for pheasant and squirrel. I hadn't been able to go out in November for the opening because of the show and other things going on, it just made it impossible to take off of life for three days. Unfortunately, we didn't evens see a single pheasant while we were out there. It was pretty disheartening since it was the first time I had been out int he field since I had my hip replaced. We did see a few deer though, and a couple of squirrels that we managed to lose sight of before we could get out of the truck and get to a place where we could have a clear shot at them.
When we realized that we weren't going to get any squirrels from the property down by the creek, we set up a small target on one of the dead trees that had fallen down during a storm a couple of years ago. Dad let me shoot his .22 revolver, the one that I've been working with a lot over the last month; my uncle I think was a bit surprised at how well I could shoot, since I managed to get a bullseye on my second shot. Then, my uncle was ever so nice to let me shoot his semi-automatic 9 milimeter. I didn't do too terribly bad since that was the first time I shot a 9 mil at a target, and only the second time shooting a 8 mil in general.
Although we didn't get any game on our trip out there, or to even shoot my shotgun, I still had a lot of fun. I enjoyed being around my dad and uncle, listening to them banter back in forth retelling stories of when they were kids. I also really enjoyed the simple act of walking down the road, blocking for my uncle who was in the field. Riding in the backseat of the truck as we drove nearly every road in Pratt county, I was in awe of how simple it was out there compared to the area around Mulvane. My favorite part of the entire trip was when we went to the old creek bed that had dried up for the winter and made our own shooting range. My dad asked me to go to the truck and load his revolver. He's never asked me to do that before, it made me so incredibly happy to know that he trusts me with his beloved .22 revolver.
Link of the Day: Adventures of 2012 I haven't been on the interwebs too terribly much over the last week, so I don't have any new gems for you to go visit, so I'm sharing my adventure blog. My goal is to document 2012 in a way that is special since this year has a lot of special things in store for me.
days until MDT: 6
days until Valentine's Day: 16
days until graduation: 110
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
spirit week
At our school, when we have our homecoming games whether it be for football or basketball, we have a thing that is commonly known as 'Spirit Week' where there are certain themed days during the week where everyone dresses up to show our spirit for our school and team. Normally in years past spirit week has consisted of the same five days that have been used in the past homecoming weeks. This year though, for winter homecoming Student Council got...well, I don't know how to describe it except for interesting.
One of the biggest changes to the spirit week is how they tied in each day with the homecoming game on Friday; we play the Andale Indians this year. Monday was "Tie up the Indians" where we were encouraged to either wear a tie or tie-dyed shirts. Tuesday was "Sink the Indians" where we were encouraged to wear a water flotation device to school. Today, Wednesday, was "Cripple the Indians" where we were encouraged to "dress like a senior citizen or come hurt".
Last week when the signs for spirit week were plastered around the school, I got a bit upset over the Wednesday theme. They used "dress up as a senior citizen" as a cover for the "come to school crippled" version of the plan. I had kind of forgotten about it until today, when I was walking into school and realized that people weren't just wearing band-aides on their body for the hell of it. I brushed it off for the most part, but when people started using the word "crippled" in an extremely demeanor way, I got pretty ticked off.
Well, I'm not the only one. I guess a parent or someone from the community called into one of the local television stations and got the channel to start an investigation. I don't really know what to think of all this, except that I wish whoever came up with the theme would have used some common sense and shown some sensitivity.
Link of the Day: lolcat.com Just because we all need something to make us laugh when we're bored.
days until MDT: 10
days until Valentine's Day: 20
days until graduation: 114
One of the biggest changes to the spirit week is how they tied in each day with the homecoming game on Friday; we play the Andale Indians this year. Monday was "Tie up the Indians" where we were encouraged to either wear a tie or tie-dyed shirts. Tuesday was "Sink the Indians" where we were encouraged to wear a water flotation device to school. Today, Wednesday, was "Cripple the Indians" where we were encouraged to "dress like a senior citizen or come hurt".
Last week when the signs for spirit week were plastered around the school, I got a bit upset over the Wednesday theme. They used "dress up as a senior citizen" as a cover for the "come to school crippled" version of the plan. I had kind of forgotten about it until today, when I was walking into school and realized that people weren't just wearing band-aides on their body for the hell of it. I brushed it off for the most part, but when people started using the word "crippled" in an extremely demeanor way, I got pretty ticked off.
Well, I'm not the only one. I guess a parent or someone from the community called into one of the local television stations and got the channel to start an investigation. I don't really know what to think of all this, except that I wish whoever came up with the theme would have used some common sense and shown some sensitivity.
Link of the Day: lolcat.com Just because we all need something to make us laugh when we're bored.
days until MDT: 10
days until Valentine's Day: 20
days until graduation: 114
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Hashi and I
I don't think it's really set in since I found out a few years ago when I was diagnosed with a medical condition called Hashimoto's disease (which we commonly refer to as Hashi around our family) that the feelings I have when I don't take my thyroid medicines really start to change my mind set.
I was diagnosed either at the end of freshmen year or sophomore year with Hashi . I don't remember what exactly caused them to draw a strange amount of blood one day at the doctor's office, but they did. I remember my mom being freaked out when they called and left a message for her telling her she needed to call the doctor ASAP. She was worried that they were going to diagnose me with diabetes since she has Type I diabetes and my dad with Type II. When they told her I had Hashi my mom was relieved.
Hashimoto is a simple run down explanation is just the thyroid glands not producing enough (or as in my case, none at all) hormones. For Hashi, in most cases Hashi is simply treated by the patient taking a thyroid replacement pill every day that levels the hormone levels to where they need to be.
One of the possible symptoms of Hashi is fatigue and a sluggish feeling. I've been really bad since I was diagnosed about taking my medicine every day. It got to the point where the pediatric endocrinologist that I was seeing got extremely upset with me and lectured me for twenty minutes once when I went to see him. Within the last week I started using my pill planner again, making sure I take my vitamins, pain medication and thyroid pill every day. I managed to go an entire week taking all of my medicine. Then yesterday and today I forgot to take them since I was running late. Let me tell you, fatigue and sluggish feelings is what I've been feeling the last two days.
It kind of shook me a little when I realized that the weird feelings I've been having yesterday and today have to do with the fact that I didn't take my Hashi medication. I guess I just find it odd that such a small pill can make a massive difference in one day. Also, considering the idea of me moving out in August means that there won't be anyone to tell me every morning to take my medicine, it just kind of scares me a little. And maybe that's what I need.
Link of the day: Bad Hall Director I found his blog not too long ago, but I've read back several months and I literally end up laughing by the end of every single post.
days until MDT: 11
days until Valentine's Day: 21
days until graduation: 115
I was diagnosed either at the end of freshmen year or sophomore year with Hashi . I don't remember what exactly caused them to draw a strange amount of blood one day at the doctor's office, but they did. I remember my mom being freaked out when they called and left a message for her telling her she needed to call the doctor ASAP. She was worried that they were going to diagnose me with diabetes since she has Type I diabetes and my dad with Type II. When they told her I had Hashi my mom was relieved.
Hashimoto is a simple run down explanation is just the thyroid glands not producing enough (or as in my case, none at all) hormones. For Hashi, in most cases Hashi is simply treated by the patient taking a thyroid replacement pill every day that levels the hormone levels to where they need to be.
One of the possible symptoms of Hashi is fatigue and a sluggish feeling. I've been really bad since I was diagnosed about taking my medicine every day. It got to the point where the pediatric endocrinologist that I was seeing got extremely upset with me and lectured me for twenty minutes once when I went to see him. Within the last week I started using my pill planner again, making sure I take my vitamins, pain medication and thyroid pill every day. I managed to go an entire week taking all of my medicine. Then yesterday and today I forgot to take them since I was running late. Let me tell you, fatigue and sluggish feelings is what I've been feeling the last two days.
It kind of shook me a little when I realized that the weird feelings I've been having yesterday and today have to do with the fact that I didn't take my Hashi medication. I guess I just find it odd that such a small pill can make a massive difference in one day. Also, considering the idea of me moving out in August means that there won't be anyone to tell me every morning to take my medicine, it just kind of scares me a little. And maybe that's what I need.
Link of the day: Bad Hall Director I found his blog not too long ago, but I've read back several months and I literally end up laughing by the end of every single post.
days until MDT: 11
days until Valentine's Day: 21
days until graduation: 115
go green!: an introduction of sorts
Notice: I've decided to change the dates of this blog series to the fourth Tuesday of every month. The next post in this series will be on February 28, 2012.
It has begun to become more and more evident over the last few years that earth is not as healthy as it should be. Healthy in the fact that the green house effect is becoming an increasing problem as well as the carbon foot print that we give off in our every day lives. With this being said, this is the main reason why I wanted to start this blog series for 2012. Not only am I hoping to inform others, if at the very least just one other person, but to also show that helping our environment and ultimately earth isn't impossible for someone to do on a daily basis.
This blog series will cover a variety of things pertaining to the environment, earth and possibly a small portion of space. All of these things are being effected by our daily lives and how we live them, all of which circle back around to the fact that the environment, earth and space affect our daily lives and how we live them.
I am by no means an expert in this field, I merely find this subject of interest and find it extremely important to help preserve earth for the betterment of years to come. With this, I will assure you that I will do my best to find reliable resources to share with you on things that I find throughout the year.
If you have any questions you want answered, either on my views on things pertaining to the enviornment, or something specific looked into, drop me an e-mail at jjohnsonmulvane@gmail.com and I'll see what I can come up with.
My whole goal with this series is to help not only myself figure out a way to preserve the world around me, but to help spread the word of how important these issues are.
Monthly Mileage Week
January 17, 2012 - January 24, 2012
233.9 miles
Monthly Mileage Week is something slightly random that I decided to do. Every month, for eight days, during the same eight day span I'm tracking the miles I drive. I'm hoping by the end of the year I can see what types of things vary from month to month though the variables are quite large.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
interesting days
When I said earlier that you might not see much of me until spring, I didn't realize how true that statement was when I made it. This semester is really going to be a test of patience, hard work, and commitment among all other things.
I have seven classes at school and then another class at the Learning Center (which I normally just call TLC) that is online based. They're all pretty easy classes, course wise, but the homework gets piled up on top of each other is what gets me.
Earth Space (ES) is easy in the sense that the topics we cover in class really interest me. I don't mind the homework that's assigned because it helps me understand the material and is normally quite easy.
English 3 (E3) is a true test of patience. Being in a class with juniors really has me wanting to bang my head against my desk every day. Not only is the maturity level slightly different (or in the case that is my class, a lot different) but the teacher is different than I remember. I can't wait until we finish this editorial paper and start working with The Great Gatsby. I'm more than excited for that to come my way.
Advisory (A) is a twenty five minute class we're required to sit through every day but Wednesday. It's basically a study hall, and is in my mind quite redundant since I'm more tempted to talk to my friends than actually do homework.
U.S. History and Topicsnormally we just call it Topics (T) is basically just U.S. History from 1950's to current 2012. It's not bad, we just do a lot of book assignments, which is starting to get extremely boring. We also just got assigned a book report, which I am entirely too excited to do.
English 4 (E4) not much has changed from last semester, I'm still not sure what I think. This is by far my most challenging class.
Mathematical Thinking (M) I honestly don't know what the purpose of this class is. The teacher rambles too much and the kids in the class are extremely annoying and immature. I would rather suffer through Algebra II than sit through this all semester.
American Studies (AS) basically this is just the other half of T, except it's another junior class that I have to make up because of my hip replacement last spring. Not too terrible of a class, but it's pretty much the same as T.
Algebra II (A2) this is actually been easier and more enjoyable than M has been thus far. It might be because I'm in a quiet room working by myself and self teaching from the text with help from the teacher.
This past week has showed me how hectic it's going to be this semester. I was ill the week before for three days so I was still catching up on that and then keeping up with work from this week. On top of that, we started rehearsals for the mystery dinner theatre on February 4th, so that's going on. And then, I'm starting a gym routine this week. It will only get busier too, with college stuff starting I may be taking more trips to Winfield. I'll start to sort through graduation things. Not to mention when the spring show starts I'll have four rehearsals a week for three to four hours each night.
On top of all this, I'm squeezing in writing time. I'm trying to write 750 words a day on 750words.com that is also going to be time spent writing on my Secret Book.
Goodness, I rambled, didn't I? That's what happens when I go to the gym, bike five miles in thirty minutes, then go to a youth group meeting for two hours to come home. I'm extremely tired and I still have a small mountain of homework to accomplish tonight. The feeling though isn't too bad. I much rather be busy and overwhelmed than in a terrible amount of pain that I can't control, and be overwhelmed. A year ago today, I couldn't have been doing everything I am today.
Here's to hoping I'll be seen somewhat soon! And lots of sleep too, if I can fit that in somewhere.
Link of the day: 750words.com It's been helping me pre-write a little bit here and there for my Secret Book. Definitely a good tool to have. I'm challenging myself to write every day in February on the site.
days until MDT: 13
days until Valentine's Day: 23
days until graduation: 117
I have seven classes at school and then another class at the Learning Center (which I normally just call TLC) that is online based. They're all pretty easy classes, course wise, but the homework gets piled up on top of each other is what gets me.
Earth Space (ES) is easy in the sense that the topics we cover in class really interest me. I don't mind the homework that's assigned because it helps me understand the material and is normally quite easy.
English 3 (E3) is a true test of patience. Being in a class with juniors really has me wanting to bang my head against my desk every day. Not only is the maturity level slightly different (or in the case that is my class, a lot different) but the teacher is different than I remember. I can't wait until we finish this editorial paper and start working with The Great Gatsby. I'm more than excited for that to come my way.
Advisory (A) is a twenty five minute class we're required to sit through every day but Wednesday. It's basically a study hall, and is in my mind quite redundant since I'm more tempted to talk to my friends than actually do homework.
U.S. History and Topics
English 4 (E4) not much has changed from last semester, I'm still not sure what I think. This is by far my most challenging class.
Mathematical Thinking (M) I honestly don't know what the purpose of this class is. The teacher rambles too much and the kids in the class are extremely annoying and immature. I would rather suffer through Algebra II than sit through this all semester.
American Studies (AS) basically this is just the other half of T, except it's another junior class that I have to make up because of my hip replacement last spring. Not too terrible of a class, but it's pretty much the same as T.
Algebra II (A2) this is actually been easier and more enjoyable than M has been thus far. It might be because I'm in a quiet room working by myself and self teaching from the text with help from the teacher.
This past week has showed me how hectic it's going to be this semester. I was ill the week before for three days so I was still catching up on that and then keeping up with work from this week. On top of that, we started rehearsals for the mystery dinner theatre on February 4th, so that's going on. And then, I'm starting a gym routine this week. It will only get busier too, with college stuff starting I may be taking more trips to Winfield. I'll start to sort through graduation things. Not to mention when the spring show starts I'll have four rehearsals a week for three to four hours each night.
On top of all this, I'm squeezing in writing time. I'm trying to write 750 words a day on 750words.com that is also going to be time spent writing on my Secret Book.
Goodness, I rambled, didn't I? That's what happens when I go to the gym, bike five miles in thirty minutes, then go to a youth group meeting for two hours to come home. I'm extremely tired and I still have a small mountain of homework to accomplish tonight. The feeling though isn't too bad. I much rather be busy and overwhelmed than in a terrible amount of pain that I can't control, and be overwhelmed. A year ago today, I couldn't have been doing everything I am today.
Here's to hoping I'll be seen somewhat soon! And lots of sleep too, if I can fit that in somewhere.
Link of the day: 750words.com It's been helping me pre-write a little bit here and there for my Secret Book. Definitely a good tool to have. I'm challenging myself to write every day in February on the site.
days until MDT: 13
days until Valentine's Day: 23
days until graduation: 117
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
update: go green! postponed
I just wanted to give a quick update and let you all know that I'm still alive from my day on SC campus and that the first Go Green! post in the Go Green! blog series will be postponed this month until the fourth Monday, January 23 due to the overwhelming work load this week from my classes.
As for normal blogging, I'll be back with a few short posts over the next couple of weeks including an overview of my time at SC and hopefully a book review.
If you recall my "resolutions and things" post, I left something out. I'm focusing on my school work, all other things extracurricular and internet activities are all coming behind my school work. I gave up forensics so I could do theatre this semester, and even this comes with the promise I made my mom that I won't attend a rehearsal if my grades are suffering. I'm applying the same thing to things I do on the internet. I'm cutting my time on the internet during the week down to something that I can still manage to keep up with things but yet still be able to focus on school. With this being said, I may not blog much from now until the spring, but I'm not taking "a leave of absence" or anything.
I normally don't do a LotD or my countdowns on update posts, but I will today.
Link of the day: FlashCardMachine.com Last semester when I found this site, I used it all the time to study for my classes. In fact, I'm working with it right now to study for my history tests.
days until Valentine's Day: 28
days until graduation: 122
As for normal blogging, I'll be back with a few short posts over the next couple of weeks including an overview of my time at SC and hopefully a book review.
If you recall my "resolutions and things" post, I left something out. I'm focusing on my school work, all other things extracurricular and internet activities are all coming behind my school work. I gave up forensics so I could do theatre this semester, and even this comes with the promise I made my mom that I won't attend a rehearsal if my grades are suffering. I'm applying the same thing to things I do on the internet. I'm cutting my time on the internet during the week down to something that I can still manage to keep up with things but yet still be able to focus on school. With this being said, I may not blog much from now until the spring, but I'm not taking "a leave of absence" or anything.
I normally don't do a LotD or my countdowns on update posts, but I will today.
Link of the day: FlashCardMachine.com Last semester when I found this site, I used it all the time to study for my classes. In fact, I'm working with it right now to study for my history tests.
days until Valentine's Day: 28
days until graduation: 122
Friday, January 13, 2012
forgive me?
I owe you an apology. You know as much as anyone else that I hate the phrase "I'm sorry" because when people normally say it it's filled with an empty meaning. I want you to know deep down inside that I truly am sorry.
I know you're probably wondering why I took this direction in going about this, but it's been very evident that I can most strongly get my emotions out if I write them rather than speak them. When I try to speak sometimes about something that I've been meaning to say, I clam up and freak out and never completely get around to saying everything that I set out to say.
Over the last couple of months I haven't really been a friend. Or at least a friend in a way that I want to be. I've pretty much lost contact with you in mid October and never really tried to talk to you until December. I have to admit, my reasons for this are selfish.
I think you can understand the parts I'm leaving out here, of the things that I've been going through over the last year. Between moving into town, trying to sort my emotions out about my surgery and then the beginning of senior year. I don't know what it was that made me get so overwhelmed with the things going on in my life. It might have been the work load I had in school, or being so involved in the musical, home life, or even the fact that I was still working through adjustments to post-hip replacement with the new pains I was experiencing. Regardless of what it was or when it started, I became extremely overwhelmed and didn't know how to handle things. I didn't sleep well at night and often laid in bed for hours just constantly thinking.
This is the part that's hard for me to explain, even in writing it's difficult.
It's safe to say that you probably know I have a hard time asking for help. I've always felt like it's just me and up to me to figure things out, that I shouldn't burden anyone else with my problems; even my closet friends that I can call my brothers and sisters. I just didn't know how to approach anyone. I was just trying to get through a school day and rehearsals to go to bed and do it all over again. I was just trying to survive the semester.
I hope that after reading this that you can understand some of what was going through my head and we can work this rough spot out in our friendship and move on.
I do understand though, if the damage that I've done is enough that you don't want to stay friends; but I just had to get this out, just so you know why things happened like they did.
I wish you the best in everything you do, always remember that.
Link of the day: A Resolute Unicycling Muppet I laughed so hard when I watched this my parents wanted to know what I was laughing at. Definitely made my evening.
days until 01/15/12: 2
days until Valentine's Day: 32
days until graduation: 126
Thursday, January 12, 2012
by myself
It's official; I've been internally freaking out this afternoon about this weekend. What's so important this weekend you might be asking; well I'll tell you. I'm visiting my college by myself for the first time and staying over night too. Why am I freaking out? Because this is the first time I've done something like this, purposefully putting myself in a position where I'm going to meet a bunch of new people all at once and not know anyone when I get there. I'm a friendly person, but when I'm by my own in situations like these, I get oddly shy.
Don't get me wrong, I feel comfortable about making the 45 minute journey, though it might be longer than that considering the weather, down to Winfield but the fact that I'm doing it all alone. It's not even that, but in the greater picture it's showing that I'm finally growing up and going off to do these things by myself.
After all these years I've been wanting to get out and do things on my own, go meet new people I'm getting the chance to do that before I'm thrown into that situation every single day in the future.
In a way it's kind of frightening, thinking that in a couple of days I'm going to be meeting people that I'll be working alongside of for the next few years. I still can't wrap my head around the idea of what this weekend will bring me.
I'm sure though, as my mom as told me several times, that things will be just fine. I believe her, because things work themselves out in one way or another.
Link of the day: 750words.com I started using this site last night, just to help me brainstorm on the Secret Book and I find it really simple and easy to use and it keeps track of everything you write and has a special statistics page that I just love, and it keeps all your writing private.
days until 01/15/12: 3
days until Valentine's Day: 33
days until graduation: 127
Don't get me wrong, I feel comfortable about making the 45 minute journey, though it might be longer than that considering the weather, down to Winfield but the fact that I'm doing it all alone. It's not even that, but in the greater picture it's showing that I'm finally growing up and going off to do these things by myself.
After all these years I've been wanting to get out and do things on my own, go meet new people I'm getting the chance to do that before I'm thrown into that situation every single day in the future.
In a way it's kind of frightening, thinking that in a couple of days I'm going to be meeting people that I'll be working alongside of for the next few years. I still can't wrap my head around the idea of what this weekend will bring me.
I'm sure though, as my mom as told me several times, that things will be just fine. I believe her, because things work themselves out in one way or another.
Link of the day: 750words.com I started using this site last night, just to help me brainstorm on the Secret Book and I find it really simple and easy to use and it keeps track of everything you write and has a special statistics page that I just love, and it keeps all your writing private.
days until 01/15/12: 3
days until Valentine's Day: 33
days until graduation: 127
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Zen Moment of the Day: History
I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but I really love history. Last semester the history class that seniors are required to take, civics, wasn't anything I'd like to do again. In reality it wasn't the class itself, but how it was taught that me struggle through the semester. This semester, I have to history classes, T (United States Topics, deals with U.S. history from the end of World War II to present day; this is the other required senior history class) and AS (American Studies, junior history course that I have to retake from missing it last year when I was out for surgery); both of them are fantastic, mostly because of having the same teacher that cares not only about his students but about helping them learn.
As I sat here and finished my assignment from Monday to turn in for T, I realized that when I'm working on my history assignments I'm completely relaxed. I have no problem reading from a textbook and answering analytic questions about events that took place. Maybe I have too much of having no problem doing it, I tend to have at least one page longer in all my assignments because I elaborate so much on everything.
There's something about being completely indulged in what I'm reading that I just naturally relax. It's really nice, especially since I've been ill and have been stressing about getting caught up in my other classes, it's nice to be able to just lose myself in one or in this case two classes and enjoy myself.
Link of the day: Quote of the Day I love reading the QotD on GoodReads. Since I don't know if this will continue to link directly to this specific quote I'm going to type it out.
As I sat here and finished my assignment from Monday to turn in for T, I realized that when I'm working on my history assignments I'm completely relaxed. I have no problem reading from a textbook and answering analytic questions about events that took place. Maybe I have too much of having no problem doing it, I tend to have at least one page longer in all my assignments because I elaborate so much on everything.
There's something about being completely indulged in what I'm reading that I just naturally relax. It's really nice, especially since I've been ill and have been stressing about getting caught up in my other classes, it's nice to be able to just lose myself in one or in this case two classes and enjoy myself.
Link of the day: Quote of the Day I love reading the QotD on GoodReads. Since I don't know if this will continue to link directly to this specific quote I'm going to type it out.
"After all, reading is arguably a far more creative and imaginative process than writing; when the reader creates emotion in their head, or the colors of the sky during the setting sun, or smell of a warm summer's breeze on their face, they should reserve as much praise for themselves as they do for the writer - perhaps more."
~ Jasper Fforde
days until 01/15/12: 4
days until Valentine's Day: 34
days until graduation: 128
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
scattered thoughts
Right now I don't feel like doing much of anything except sleeping, sitting on the couch and watching TV or watching YouTube videos. The last time I felt this bad, not counting the flu last month, has had to have been at least a year ago. I've got chest congestion, sore throat, massive headache and I'm on the verge of tearing my ear canals out because I can feel the fluid pressing and thus making me scratch at me ears every few minutes. Chances are I have a sinus infection, I'm not new to having them, I've probably had one each year for quite a while. I was going to go to school today because I'm trying not to miss any school this semester, but my mom and dad made the decision quite clear last night that I was staying home today. And it was probably a good idea they said so, because I feel even worse than I did last night when we got home from the finacial aid meeting. Now I'm just waiting for a couple of hours for when my mom comes home to get me to drive me to the family doctor.
Yesterday wasn't too bad, if I completely ignored the sore throat, beginnings of a headache and ears hurting. It was a productive day for me, I managed to finish my ES worksheet packet and begin my outline for the next section, I figured out what I wanted to do for my E3 paper, used the school computers for the first time in roughly a month and managed not to yell or hit said computer. I completed the majority of my T assignment, and I would have finished if it I did what all the others kids do and rush through it and not take the time to be thorough in their answers. Went to E4 and...well, we won't talk about that right now, it makes me want to go back to bed. Actually did an actual assignment from the book in my M class. And then in AS we were just watching Uncle Tom's Cabin. For me, that was a productive day, and thus far every day has been similar since term started. I'm thinking that this might continue, and I hope so because then I keep up with all my classes. Plus I have that A2 class online, but I'll talk about that some other time.
Also. Yesterday the casting list was posted for the mystery dinner theatre that the thespian club is doing in February. I auditioned for it last Thursday and had kind of forgotten about it since then. I didn't get the role I wanted, but I got cast in it regardless. I'm a twin lunch lady; the other actor is one of my good friends; and the best part about this is the fact that one of us is evil and the other is nice. Needless to say, I'm extremely excited to work on this show!
Well, I'm sure I've rambled enough nonsense for the day, I should go take a nap now.
Link of the day: Back to December I enjoyed the original song by Taylor Swift, but when I watched this earlier, I have to admit, Luke and Ingrid's cover makes me love it even more. Well, actually, I think I just love their cover better.
days until 01/15/12: 5
days until Valentine's Day: 35
days until graduation: 129
Yesterday wasn't too bad, if I completely ignored the sore throat, beginnings of a headache and ears hurting. It was a productive day for me, I managed to finish my ES worksheet packet and begin my outline for the next section, I figured out what I wanted to do for my E3 paper, used the school computers for the first time in roughly a month and managed not to yell or hit said computer. I completed the majority of my T assignment, and I would have finished if it I did what all the others kids do and rush through it and not take the time to be thorough in their answers. Went to E4 and...well, we won't talk about that right now, it makes me want to go back to bed. Actually did an actual assignment from the book in my M class. And then in AS we were just watching Uncle Tom's Cabin. For me, that was a productive day, and thus far every day has been similar since term started. I'm thinking that this might continue, and I hope so because then I keep up with all my classes. Plus I have that A2 class online, but I'll talk about that some other time.
Also. Yesterday the casting list was posted for the mystery dinner theatre that the thespian club is doing in February. I auditioned for it last Thursday and had kind of forgotten about it since then. I didn't get the role I wanted, but I got cast in it regardless. I'm a twin lunch lady; the other actor is one of my good friends; and the best part about this is the fact that one of us is evil and the other is nice. Needless to say, I'm extremely excited to work on this show!
Well, I'm sure I've rambled enough nonsense for the day, I should go take a nap now.
Link of the day: Back to December I enjoyed the original song by Taylor Swift, but when I watched this earlier, I have to admit, Luke and Ingrid's cover makes me love it even more. Well, actually, I think I just love their cover better.
days until 01/15/12: 5
days until Valentine's Day: 35
days until graduation: 129
Sunday, January 8, 2012
birthdays
I never really realized that over the last few years I have slowly started to not make a big deal about my birthday. I don't know if it's the special attention that throws me off or if it always end up feeling like just another day in the end or what. Yesterday was no exception, even though it was my 18th.
Currently my family is in a financial rough spot and I wasn't expecting anything elaborate to be planned. All I asked for was my mom to make her green chile chicken enchiladas for dinner and have my best friend A come over, which is basically what we end up doing every year for my birthday. Instead of paying for a massive ice cream cake that takes us weeks to eat, I asked for my mom's special peach cobbler a favorite for everyone in our family. That's really all I asked for, homemade dinner and dessert (with ice cream of course), I didn't want a party or to go out like any other eighteen year old would want to do.
Last night was everything that I could have asked for, all rolled up into one awesome night. I met A at my house as I came from church youth group and by then dinner was nearly ready. We ate dinner, sat around and talked about a variety of things. We then found out that candles don't stick well in peach cobblers, so just a tip there, for future references. And then we went back to sitting around and talking as I opened my cards and gifts from my family and A. We ended the night in playing SkipBo and having a lengthy discussion about books.
My favorite part though of my birthday was my phone call with my brother. I don't talk to him often because of how busy we each are, but when we do talk it's always nice to hear his voice and hear his thoughts on things. Our conversation last night was probably the longest one we've ever had, but it felt really nice. We ended up talking about guns, which normally doesn't happen because I feel so incompetent compared to my brother and dad when we discuss guns so I usually keep quiet. I just had to brag about dad taking me to the range on Tuesday. He sounded thoroughly pleased with me, even without seeing my target.
I've been so lucky to be blessed with such a wonderful family and friends. I can't wait to see what the year has in store for me.
Link of the day: Dr. Seuss Just because I feel like being nostalgic and stuff.
days until 01/15/12: 7
days until Valentine's Day: 37
days until graduation: 131
Currently my family is in a financial rough spot and I wasn't expecting anything elaborate to be planned. All I asked for was my mom to make her green chile chicken enchiladas for dinner and have my best friend A come over, which is basically what we end up doing every year for my birthday. Instead of paying for a massive ice cream cake that takes us weeks to eat, I asked for my mom's special peach cobbler a favorite for everyone in our family. That's really all I asked for, homemade dinner and dessert (with ice cream of course), I didn't want a party or to go out like any other eighteen year old would want to do.
Last night was everything that I could have asked for, all rolled up into one awesome night. I met A at my house as I came from church youth group and by then dinner was nearly ready. We ate dinner, sat around and talked about a variety of things. We then found out that candles don't stick well in peach cobblers, so just a tip there, for future references. And then we went back to sitting around and talking as I opened my cards and gifts from my family and A. We ended the night in playing SkipBo and having a lengthy discussion about books.
My favorite part though of my birthday was my phone call with my brother. I don't talk to him often because of how busy we each are, but when we do talk it's always nice to hear his voice and hear his thoughts on things. Our conversation last night was probably the longest one we've ever had, but it felt really nice. We ended up talking about guns, which normally doesn't happen because I feel so incompetent compared to my brother and dad when we discuss guns so I usually keep quiet. I just had to brag about dad taking me to the range on Tuesday. He sounded thoroughly pleased with me, even without seeing my target.
I've been so lucky to be blessed with such a wonderful family and friends. I can't wait to see what the year has in store for me.
Link of the day: Dr. Seuss Just because I feel like being nostalgic and stuff.
days until 01/15/12: 7
days until Valentine's Day: 37
days until graduation: 131
Thursday, January 5, 2012
cold fronts
I left early from the wrestling meet, way earlier than I expected actually. I thought there for a bit that I was going to cry from my joints hurting so much as I sat there and cheered on my fellow seniors. It's amazing how my joints can always correlate with the weather pretty well, so well actually that I'm surprised that I listen to the morning weather report every morning on the way to school.
It discourages me sometimes, having arthritis in most of my joints. I usually go to bed praying to God that the next day will have minimal pain, or at least enough patience to get through whatever pain I might have. Throughout the day it's usually hit or miss; depending all on the weather and what we do in class. If we take notes I usually end up with my hands and wrists hurting an extra amount; sitting for 50 minutes straight from 7:45 to 2:10 with only five minute breaks between classes and a lunch that isn't long enough is no where near the amount of time I need to "walk it all out".
There have been times where I end up staying home from school because my arthritis is so bad I feel like I can't do anything but curl up and attempt to relieve the pain. There have been a few occasions where I've not gone out with friends for fear that I might have a bad spell and don't want to ruin what we're doing.
It's hard for me. And what hurts the most is the feeling that I know none of my friends know it's like for me. I struggle to get out of bed in the morning, some mornings I spend too long in the shower just because the hot water helps relieve pain. Most of them don't understand that when I say I've had enough of walking or whatever we might be doing, isn't because I'm tired, it's because I can't handle my joints hurting any more. I always cringe when I hear someone say that something hurts that is usually temporary and will be gone by the end of the day; I feel some form of pain every day and I push through it somehow with God's help.
Link of the day: That's What She Said I love Kathy's blog, it's got a bit of everything in it, including an adorable dog named Stig!
days until I become an adult: 2
days until Valentine's Day: 40
days until graduation: 134
It discourages me sometimes, having arthritis in most of my joints. I usually go to bed praying to God that the next day will have minimal pain, or at least enough patience to get through whatever pain I might have. Throughout the day it's usually hit or miss; depending all on the weather and what we do in class. If we take notes I usually end up with my hands and wrists hurting an extra amount; sitting for 50 minutes straight from 7:45 to 2:10 with only five minute breaks between classes and a lunch that isn't long enough is no where near the amount of time I need to "walk it all out".
There have been times where I end up staying home from school because my arthritis is so bad I feel like I can't do anything but curl up and attempt to relieve the pain. There have been a few occasions where I've not gone out with friends for fear that I might have a bad spell and don't want to ruin what we're doing.
It's hard for me. And what hurts the most is the feeling that I know none of my friends know it's like for me. I struggle to get out of bed in the morning, some mornings I spend too long in the shower just because the hot water helps relieve pain. Most of them don't understand that when I say I've had enough of walking or whatever we might be doing, isn't because I'm tired, it's because I can't handle my joints hurting any more. I always cringe when I hear someone say that something hurts that is usually temporary and will be gone by the end of the day; I feel some form of pain every day and I push through it somehow with God's help.
Link of the day: That's What She Said I love Kathy's blog, it's got a bit of everything in it, including an adorable dog named Stig!
days until I become an adult: 2
days until Valentine's Day: 40
days until graduation: 134
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
bucket list: part three
I was going to introduce my new blog series that will begin 16th today but by the time I finished up my homework, spent some quality time with my parents and the dogs and checked my e-mail I got extremely tired. So instead, I'm giving you another installment to my bucket list, a couple of these might be a bit weird and/or surprising I think...
- explore Pompeii Ever since I watched the episode of Destination Truth when they went to Pompeii and investigated I've really wanted to go there. This is mainly because of the nerdiness I have with history and with the simple fact that I find the history of Pompeii exciting and interesting. I do admit, I forgot about my fascination with Pompeii until today when we started talking about volcanoes in my Earth Space Science class.
- see a Broadway show I remember back in middle school when my friend and I bet each other who would end up performing on Broadway first. And then five years later we're both going in completely different routes. Moral of story, I've always been interested in shows on Broadway, mainly from my love of theatre and catchy show tunes.
- visit every American Legion Post My parents have told me several times over the course of my life time that within 24 hours of my birth I was at the Mulvane Post. I have literally spent most of my life in that building and devoting everything I have to it. We have a collection of license plate tags from other posts in the nation, and it's always got me asking questions about other posts since the only one I've ever really been around is the Mulvane one. This is a large feat, considering there are hundreds in the nation and a few over seas as well. I want to do it though, and bring something back from each one; just to say that I've done it. Plus, it'd give me an opportunity to meet new veterans and learn their stories.
Link of the Day: American Legion I'm sure that their site can answer more questions on what we do than I can. Or at least to a greater degree.
Also, this is just a side note, but next month I could get inducted into the American Legion Auxiliary officially. I won't be a Junior Auxiliary member anymore. I can't believe I'm growing up.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
thoughts from places: beyond kansas
This morning before my dad and I went to the shooting range we got in his truck and headed down to Wellington to the court house where I registered to vote I can't believe I'm old enough to stuff like this now. We didn't take the Kansas Turnpike, mostly because my dad hates the new roundabouts they put in on the Mulvane exit for the casino, instead we took Broadway all the way down and back again.
I've ridden many car rides and even driven several times the stretch on Broadway from K-53/Patriot Guard Highway down to Wellington. The scenery hasn't changed much over the years with the exception of the big ass casino that's been put in on the corner where Broadway and K-53 intersect, the houses haven't changed, the small airport hasn't changed, it all looks the same.
As I sat there in the passenger seat and looked out to the west I kept imagining what it'd be like to travel outside of Kansas on my own. I've already been planning my dream summer where I'm going to go to all the special places in Kansas I've been meaning to go to, like Abeliene to the Eisenhower museum, or back to Hutchinson to the Salt Mines and the Space Museum. All I've ever known traveling wise is the lower half of the midwest and a little portion of the west coast; all of this traveling has been done with my parents. It's just weird for me to think about traveling now, seeing as I turn eighteen in a short few days time and graduation a few months away, there's no one holding me back after that.
I had a dream a few nights ago, I was at our family reunion sitting around with all my cousins and uncles and aunts. I think I was a couple years out of college at the time. They were asking me where I was living and what I was doing, if I was dating anyone; the typical questions that are brought up at family reunions. I continued to tell them that I was just a nomad. That I wasn't settling down in one place, I was traveling the country and seeing everything it had.
It's almost scary thinking that in less than a year's time I could just set out and travel and never really settle down or anything. It's extremely tempting to get a job this summer and work for a few months, saving up money and take a year off before going to SC. Though I don't think I would ever actually do it, mostly because my mom would kill me before I take a year off after high school before going to college; plus, I think I might enjoy it too much to the point where I wouldn't want to come back and go to college.
The things that I do know are this: I'm going to keep dreaming of traveling America, I'm going to work my ass off and live life to the fullest. Maybe one day I'll get to explore every nook and corner of America and then some, maybe I'll settle down some where that I least expected it. Who knows? Wherever God takes me this year and in the future I'm willing to follow.
Link of the day: The Bullet Stop I'm sorry, this probably appeals to less than one percent of you, but I just had to share it anyways. I love this place, the guys are so friendly and easy to talk to. The only bad thing is that their gun smith is usually out on the days we go in to shoot.
days until Senior Year Part 2 begins: 1
days until I become an adult: 4
days until graduation: 136
I've ridden many car rides and even driven several times the stretch on Broadway from K-53/Patriot Guard Highway down to Wellington. The scenery hasn't changed much over the years with the exception of the big ass casino that's been put in on the corner where Broadway and K-53 intersect, the houses haven't changed, the small airport hasn't changed, it all looks the same.
As I sat there in the passenger seat and looked out to the west I kept imagining what it'd be like to travel outside of Kansas on my own. I've already been planning my dream summer where I'm going to go to all the special places in Kansas I've been meaning to go to, like Abeliene to the Eisenhower museum, or back to Hutchinson to the Salt Mines and the Space Museum. All I've ever known traveling wise is the lower half of the midwest and a little portion of the west coast; all of this traveling has been done with my parents. It's just weird for me to think about traveling now, seeing as I turn eighteen in a short few days time and graduation a few months away, there's no one holding me back after that.
I had a dream a few nights ago, I was at our family reunion sitting around with all my cousins and uncles and aunts. I think I was a couple years out of college at the time. They were asking me where I was living and what I was doing, if I was dating anyone; the typical questions that are brought up at family reunions. I continued to tell them that I was just a nomad. That I wasn't settling down in one place, I was traveling the country and seeing everything it had.
It's almost scary thinking that in less than a year's time I could just set out and travel and never really settle down or anything. It's extremely tempting to get a job this summer and work for a few months, saving up money and take a year off before going to SC. Though I don't think I would ever actually do it, mostly because my mom would kill me before I take a year off after high school before going to college; plus, I think I might enjoy it too much to the point where I wouldn't want to come back and go to college.
The things that I do know are this: I'm going to keep dreaming of traveling America, I'm going to work my ass off and live life to the fullest. Maybe one day I'll get to explore every nook and corner of America and then some, maybe I'll settle down some where that I least expected it. Who knows? Wherever God takes me this year and in the future I'm willing to follow.
Link of the day: The Bullet Stop I'm sorry, this probably appeals to less than one percent of you, but I just had to share it anyways. I love this place, the guys are so friendly and easy to talk to. The only bad thing is that their gun smith is usually out on the days we go in to shoot.
days until Senior Year Part 2 begins: 1
days until I become an adult: 4
days until graduation: 136
Monday, January 2, 2012
zen moment of the day: reading again
It's amazing how two weeks ago I was in full reading mode and enjoying every single page as I went. Then last week came along and reading became obsolete compared to everything that had to get done in order for the big moving day on Friday. It was one thing after another that needed to be done, whether it was going to the Post Office for change of address forms, packing and cleaning, or dealing with the internet guy who seemed like he didn't want to be doing anything or the plumber. I was on my feet the entire week and I just didn't have a chance to breathe let alone pick up a book and read for twenty minutes; at bed time there was no possible moment for me to attempt reading because once my head hit the pillow I was out like a light.
Tonight though, I found one of two of my library books in one of the boxes that I have yet to unpack yet and sat down and finished it. Though I didn't really care for the book that I was reading it was a great feeling to be reading nonetheless. I got so captured in the writing to the point where I forgot I was sitting on the couch reading while my dad watched Nitro Circus a bit too loudly on MTV, it was like I was there with the characters in the book. For the hour or so that it took me to finish that book, I was content and calm, I wasn't worrying about anything but just reading. It felt amazing.
Tonight though, I found one of two of my library books in one of the boxes that I have yet to unpack yet and sat down and finished it. Though I didn't really care for the book that I was reading it was a great feeling to be reading nonetheless. I got so captured in the writing to the point where I forgot I was sitting on the couch reading while my dad watched Nitro Circus a bit too loudly on MTV, it was like I was there with the characters in the book. For the hour or so that it took me to finish that book, I was content and calm, I wasn't worrying about anything but just reading. It felt amazing.
things in 2012
I didn't realize it until a few days ago, but 2012 has a lot of things that will be happening throughout the year.
18th birthday: January 7th is the day. It's extremely close, which is kind of scary; I get to vote and I also have the potential to be summoned for jury duty. What's not to love?I have a twisted sense of humor I know.
One year anniversary: Febuary 14th will mark my one year anniversary of my hip replacement. I'm still kind of shocked that it's been so long. I can't wait to see my surgeon that afternoon and share my adventures of the year.
Mystery Dinner Theatre: More details later...maybe. Just know that I'm freaking excited.
Prom: Yeah it's senior year, but I'm still not ready to think about prom yet.
Spring Play: The Three Muskateers, including stage combat, yes I'm auditioning; even if I don't get cast I'm still working on that show some way or another. I'm not passing this up.
Graduation: May 19th, 137 days to go. I just don't even know...
Family Reunion: Can't wait to see the entire family in June, I just pray that it's not as hot as last year and that we have no more water slide incidents.
New Orleans Gathering with church: A massive gathering of high school students from all across the nation in one place doing awesome and embracing God in July...in New Orleans... First time for a lot of things on this trip, and I can't wait to spend an entire week with the girls I've had the awesome opportunity to meet and bond with over the last five years.
Kansas Veterans Family Reunion: Also in July, but if I'm thinking right this is the weekend after I get back from New Orleans. Get to hopefully be camping out at the lake and get to meet veterans from all over the state and the mid-west who have served for our country.
College: I have nothing much to say about this yet, not until we hit May 19th at least.
NaNoWriMo: Haven't completely decided if I'm going to do it this year or not since I'm working on The Secret Book project and everything...we'll have to see.
I definitely have a lot to look forward to in 2012. After a slow year as I went through a lot of changes in my life and learned that I had more strength in me than I gave myself credit for, I'm sure that this year will just fly by.
Link of the day: Internet Age I've listened to it only oncebecause our internet connection is slow and YouTube loads painfully slow, but it's so incredibly catchy and I just love the music and the video. I really wish I could make it to the Dial Up Tour.
days until Senior Year Part 2 begins: 2
days until I become an adult: 5
days until graduation: 137
18th birthday: January 7th is the day. It's extremely close, which is kind of scary; I get to vote and I also have the potential to be summoned for jury duty. What's not to love?
One year anniversary: Febuary 14th will mark my one year anniversary of my hip replacement. I'm still kind of shocked that it's been so long. I can't wait to see my surgeon that afternoon and share my adventures of the year.
Mystery Dinner Theatre: More details later...maybe. Just know that I'm freaking excited.
Prom: Yeah it's senior year, but I'm still not ready to think about prom yet.
Spring Play: The Three Muskateers, including stage combat, yes I'm auditioning; even if I don't get cast I'm still working on that show some way or another. I'm not passing this up.
Graduation: May 19th, 137 days to go. I just don't even know...
Family Reunion: Can't wait to see the entire family in June, I just pray that it's not as hot as last year and that we have no more water slide incidents.
New Orleans Gathering with church: A massive gathering of high school students from all across the nation in one place doing awesome and embracing God in July...in New Orleans... First time for a lot of things on this trip, and I can't wait to spend an entire week with the girls I've had the awesome opportunity to meet and bond with over the last five years.
Kansas Veterans Family Reunion: Also in July, but if I'm thinking right this is the weekend after I get back from New Orleans. Get to hopefully be camping out at the lake and get to meet veterans from all over the state and the mid-west who have served for our country.
College: I have nothing much to say about this yet, not until we hit May 19th at least.
NaNoWriMo: Haven't completely decided if I'm going to do it this year or not since I'm working on The Secret Book project and everything...we'll have to see.
I definitely have a lot to look forward to in 2012. After a slow year as I went through a lot of changes in my life and learned that I had more strength in me than I gave myself credit for, I'm sure that this year will just fly by.
Link of the day: Internet Age I've listened to it only once
days until Senior Year Part 2 begins: 2
days until I become an adult: 5
days until graduation: 137
Sunday, January 1, 2012
resolutions and things
Happy New Year! I had been wondering what to do for New Year's Eve since I had been invited by two friends to their parties, each on seperate ends of town. I ended up going out to dinner with my parents at this fancy restaruant at 8:45, which was a bit after when both parties had started. I decided that I was going to have a nice quiet evening with my parents since it's probably the last one that I know I'll be home for 100%. Dinner was great, I'm still stuffed from it; we watched Sister Act when we got home and drank a glass of sparking grape juice a bit after eleven so my parents could retire to bed early. Not too late later I too headed to bed.
A new year usually comes with the list of things we promise ourselves to do or not to do for the year. I have to admit that I normally don't stick to mine, but this year, I think that all of mine are attainable if I can get started off right and push myself to keep with it. Most of these go hand in hand, most of which I should still be practicing since recovery from surgery...
A new year usually comes with the list of things we promise ourselves to do or not to do for the year. I have to admit that I normally don't stick to mine, but this year, I think that all of mine are attainable if I can get started off right and push myself to keep with it. Most of these go hand in hand, most of which I should still be practicing since recovery from surgery...
- Exercise more: need to strengthen my hip muscles and it's good for arthritic joints.
- Take my medicine when it's supposed to be taken.
- Cut back on carbonated beverages.
- Recycle and conserve energy and other environmentally friendly things.
- Drink more water.
- Cut back on salt intake.
- Commit to committing: don't pull out at the last minute.
- Fish more than 2011.
- Read 50 books.
- Start a collab blog.
- Write more often.
- Connect with old friends.
- Go on more walks.
Link of the day: EcoGeek I just generally enjoy this place. Makes me happy to see a place where people love earth.
days until Senior Year Part 2 begins: 3
days until I become an adult: 6
days until graduation: 138
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