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
Sunday, January 8, 2012
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
Saturday, December 31, 2011
BEDD 31: thank you
2011 has brought tears of confusion, anger, happiness, pain, love, relief, sorrow and everything between. The year has also brought me several fond moments I want to cherish for the rest of my life; moments that were tough but made me a better person, I want to remember these for when things get rough again in the future; and moments that I'd just rather forget even happened. Through it all, I've learned a lot from someone I found one early morning when I coudln't sleep on YouTube. This person I haven't gotten the chance to meet yet, but he's changed my perspective on things. He is also the same person that I wrote half of my music history final exam paper over.
Mike Lombardo.
There really aren't enough words for me to express how much of an impact Mike has had on me this year. I'm thankful that I found him when I did because I don't know how my year would have gone without his music.
One of the things that I really like about Mike is that he is so much into what he does, he puts all of his effort into what he's working on and produces something that is just magnificent. He keeps pushing through and continues to do what he loves: music.
I've struggled a lot with people telling me what I should and shouldn't do with my life from the small things all the way up to some major things. I've learned through watching Mike's video's on YouTube and listening to his music that no one can decide what I do and that I should do what I love.
One thing that 2011 has taught me is that the internet is a special place that can be used for great things. It can allow you to reach out and help someone or multiple someones. Mike has made me want to be a better person by not letting anything stop me from not only doing the things that I love but from being myself.
I can't thank him enough.
Link of the day: Page A Day So many different calendar choices to choose from to get sent to your e-mail daily. I got my mom and I each a Page A Day calendar for our desks, I just love them to death.
days until Senior Year Part 2 begins: 4
days until I become an adult: 7
days until graduation: 139
Mike Lombardo.
There really aren't enough words for me to express how much of an impact Mike has had on me this year. I'm thankful that I found him when I did because I don't know how my year would have gone without his music.
One of the things that I really like about Mike is that he is so much into what he does, he puts all of his effort into what he's working on and produces something that is just magnificent. He keeps pushing through and continues to do what he loves: music.
I've struggled a lot with people telling me what I should and shouldn't do with my life from the small things all the way up to some major things. I've learned through watching Mike's video's on YouTube and listening to his music that no one can decide what I do and that I should do what I love.
One thing that 2011 has taught me is that the internet is a special place that can be used for great things. It can allow you to reach out and help someone or multiple someones. Mike has made me want to be a better person by not letting anything stop me from not only doing the things that I love but from being myself.
I can't thank him enough.
Mike, if by the slightest off chance that you've come across this; just let it be known that you've made an impact in my life and that I'm forever grateful for what you do. Never stop.
days until Senior Year Part 2 begins: 4
days until I become an adult: 7
days until graduation: 139
Friday, December 30, 2011
BEDD 30: a year in review 2011
I've seen a few other bloggers do this already and decided I'd do it too. There really isn't much explanation needed on this one.
JANUARY: Rang in the new year with a group of close friends and had a blast considering all the stress I was going through with all the doctor's appointments I had been coming out of with no new information. A few days later I celebrated my seventeenth birthday with my mom and dad before we headed to St. Louis the following week for one hell of an interesting doctor's appointment. Later then in the month, I saw my surgeon and set the date for my hip replacement; I could finally rest a little easier.
FEBRUARY: I was pulled out of school and stuck on an online program two weeks before surgery and managed to do a fair amount of school work considering how anxious I was for the big day to get there. February 14th, 2011 I had my hip replaced and of course had some chocolate too. I was visited by a group of close friends that still to this day I am very appreciative to have in my life and thankful they came to see me that night of surgery when I really wasn't very coherent and probably quite cranky. I saw a new found ambition in myself that I didn't see before, one that wanted to prove everyone wrong about what they had once thought
MARCH: Nothing too terribly important happened except the recovering from surgery. I was still working hard on regaining strength and mobility. I also managed to get strangely addicted to March Madness basketball and became slightly outraged when I couldn't watch my teams play. Went to the Department of Kansas Wildlife and Parks headquarters in Pratt for the first time ever; got my first hunting and fishing duo license and got to go through the "museum" with dad. A visit to Pratt also means eating at Donald's Diner.
APRIL: I was still working hard, and my continuous hard work was paying off. Went to SC and did a full campus tour with my mom, up the stairs, around the hill, down the stairs, in every building, around every building, up the stairs, down the stairs and around the hill. It was such a great feeling to be able to keep up with a 20 year old who was taking full strides. The awesomeness didn't stop here. The week after that, I did a two mile walk in Wichita with my youth leader, we didn't stop but once during the entire walk. Through both of these milestone events, it was just absolutely astonishing that the only pain I had at the end of the day was my calf muscles, and that was only because I hadn't been doing so much activity in months. I also began driving again after not being able to be behind the wheel since early December because of the medicines I was on. Also in April, I found several new artists and YouTubers who helped me through rough times; including Ministry of Magic boys, ALL CAPS, Mike Lombardo, Chameleon Circuit boys, John and Hank Green and various others. Didn't do much fishing. :(
MAY: My mom and I moved out and moved to town. Adjusting to living in town was a bit rough at first, but I found it easier as time progressed. I enjoyed walking most places, like the two blocks to the library and back. I went to my best friend's graduation, which really put things into perspective for me; I had a year before that would be me. And then the heat began. Once again, didn't do much fishing. :(
JUNE: Hot, hot, hot. June was the start of the hottest summer I've ever experienced in my seventeen years of living in Kansas. For me, someone who enjoyed being outside started to prefer to be indoors at all times. MRC classes started up again, I offered my wisdom and help to the theatre classes. I got to see all of my family at our annual family reunion that was just far away that we could still sleep in our own beds. I got to finally bond with Uncle Gale, seeing as he's the only one in the family who has gone through a hip replacement. The same weekend, I went "swimming" for the first time since surgery and had a blast. Except for my first time ever on a water slide, and ended up with a minor neck injury. Giving up going to Girls State for the reunion was a great idea, I don't regret that decision one bit, quality family time is big for me. Too hot to even think about going fishing. :(
JULY: MRC classes continued onwards, and I volunteered on the days when I could manage to get out of bed on time. Fourth of July I spent at the nursing home volunteering for most of the day and then into the night as I got to help shoot off fireworks and hand out ice cream to the residents. The trip to western Kansas to see the Bortz side of the family at Uncle Leon's funeral reminded me at any moment you can lose a loved one, and that spending quality time with the ones you love means more than anything else. This trip also made me fall in love with Kansas all over again. The hot weather continues on and so does the lack of fishing trips. :(
AUGUST: The start of senior year finally started with a big bang. Old Settlers was hotter than any other on record, but it was still good fun because of the NFL booth, even if it ended with cool whip and honey in my hair. Participated in BEDA for the first time, totally worth it.
SEPTEMBER: Wildcat football was off to a great start with the bashing we gave Pratt. The musical finally gets a slow start, and last minute I decided to audition for a part instead of being head of costumes and make-up. Cast in chorus I was at first upset but began to realize that theatre was more than I ever imagined it could be. I also realized that I could set my mind to anything and achieve it. Took the ACT for the first time, and managed not to die from it.
OCTOBER: I learned who my real friends were. Ate lots of sweets and had even more fun with my theatre family. Joint pain became frequent; at one point the family doctor thought I might have had rheumatoid arthritis.
NOVEMBER: Attempted NaNoWriMo for the second year. Got farther than last year, which was what I was hoping for. Had a few rough patches before show week with my arthritis. Had a great Hell Week, even if I didn't sleep much or get hardly any school work done. I bawled like a baby during my speech at senior cast bonding, amazed at how much the people around me loved and supported me. Had a fantastic show run with the rest of the cast, even if closing night ended in a weird way that none of us can really comprehend. All that can be left said is Mrs. Batman is there, we all know it even if no one else believes us. Celebrated Thanksgiving with Bubby, Tammy, Natasha and Robert; a great holiday was exactly what I needed.
DECEMBER: More stressful than I would have ever imagined. Finished the first semester of senior year with a rough note. Realized that my future is up to me and that I can't let anyone hold me back. Celebrated a nice quiet Christmas with mom and dad; enjoyed the family time and mom's good cooking. Moved with mom back in with dad.
link of the day: Made In America I don't know how many times I've listened to this song. It's probably in my top favorite 100 songs for sure.
days until Senior Year Part 2 begins: 5
days until I become an adult: 8
days until graduation: 140
JANUARY: Rang in the new year with a group of close friends and had a blast considering all the stress I was going through with all the doctor's appointments I had been coming out of with no new information. A few days later I celebrated my seventeenth birthday with my mom and dad before we headed to St. Louis the following week for one hell of an interesting doctor's appointment. Later then in the month, I saw my surgeon and set the date for my hip replacement; I could finally rest a little easier.
FEBRUARY: I was pulled out of school and stuck on an online program two weeks before surgery and managed to do a fair amount of school work considering how anxious I was for the big day to get there. February 14th, 2011 I had my hip replaced and of course had some chocolate too. I was visited by a group of close friends that still to this day I am very appreciative to have in my life and thankful they came to see me that night of surgery when I really wasn't very coherent and probably quite cranky. I saw a new found ambition in myself that I didn't see before, one that wanted to prove everyone wrong about what they had once thought
MARCH: Nothing too terribly important happened except the recovering from surgery. I was still working hard on regaining strength and mobility. I also managed to get strangely addicted to March Madness basketball and became slightly outraged when I couldn't watch my teams play. Went to the Department of Kansas Wildlife and Parks headquarters in Pratt for the first time ever; got my first hunting and fishing duo license and got to go through the "museum" with dad. A visit to Pratt also means eating at Donald's Diner.
APRIL: I was still working hard, and my continuous hard work was paying off. Went to SC and did a full campus tour with my mom, up the stairs, around the hill, down the stairs, in every building, around every building, up the stairs, down the stairs and around the hill. It was such a great feeling to be able to keep up with a 20 year old who was taking full strides. The awesomeness didn't stop here. The week after that, I did a two mile walk in Wichita with my youth leader, we didn't stop but once during the entire walk. Through both of these milestone events, it was just absolutely astonishing that the only pain I had at the end of the day was my calf muscles, and that was only because I hadn't been doing so much activity in months. I also began driving again after not being able to be behind the wheel since early December because of the medicines I was on. Also in April, I found several new artists and YouTubers who helped me through rough times; including Ministry of Magic boys, ALL CAPS, Mike Lombardo, Chameleon Circuit boys, John and Hank Green and various others. Didn't do much fishing. :(
MAY: My mom and I moved out and moved to town. Adjusting to living in town was a bit rough at first, but I found it easier as time progressed. I enjoyed walking most places, like the two blocks to the library and back. I went to my best friend's graduation, which really put things into perspective for me; I had a year before that would be me. And then the heat began. Once again, didn't do much fishing. :(
JUNE: Hot, hot, hot. June was the start of the hottest summer I've ever experienced in my seventeen years of living in Kansas. For me, someone who enjoyed being outside started to prefer to be indoors at all times. MRC classes started up again, I offered my wisdom and help to the theatre classes. I got to see all of my family at our annual family reunion that was just far away that we could still sleep in our own beds. I got to finally bond with Uncle Gale, seeing as he's the only one in the family who has gone through a hip replacement. The same weekend, I went "swimming" for the first time since surgery and had a blast. Except for my first time ever on a water slide, and ended up with a minor neck injury. Giving up going to Girls State for the reunion was a great idea, I don't regret that decision one bit, quality family time is big for me. Too hot to even think about going fishing. :(
JULY: MRC classes continued onwards, and I volunteered on the days when I could manage to get out of bed on time. Fourth of July I spent at the nursing home volunteering for most of the day and then into the night as I got to help shoot off fireworks and hand out ice cream to the residents. The trip to western Kansas to see the Bortz side of the family at Uncle Leon's funeral reminded me at any moment you can lose a loved one, and that spending quality time with the ones you love means more than anything else. This trip also made me fall in love with Kansas all over again. The hot weather continues on and so does the lack of fishing trips. :(
AUGUST: The start of senior year finally started with a big bang. Old Settlers was hotter than any other on record, but it was still good fun because of the NFL booth, even if it ended with cool whip and honey in my hair. Participated in BEDA for the first time, totally worth it.
SEPTEMBER: Wildcat football was off to a great start with the bashing we gave Pratt. The musical finally gets a slow start, and last minute I decided to audition for a part instead of being head of costumes and make-up. Cast in chorus I was at first upset but began to realize that theatre was more than I ever imagined it could be. I also realized that I could set my mind to anything and achieve it. Took the ACT for the first time, and managed not to die from it.
OCTOBER: I learned who my real friends were. Ate lots of sweets and had even more fun with my theatre family. Joint pain became frequent; at one point the family doctor thought I might have had rheumatoid arthritis.
NOVEMBER: Attempted NaNoWriMo for the second year. Got farther than last year, which was what I was hoping for. Had a few rough patches before show week with my arthritis. Had a great Hell Week, even if I didn't sleep much or get hardly any school work done. I bawled like a baby during my speech at senior cast bonding, amazed at how much the people around me loved and supported me. Had a fantastic show run with the rest of the cast, even if closing night ended in a weird way that none of us can really comprehend. All that can be left said is Mrs. Batman is there, we all know it even if no one else believes us. Celebrated Thanksgiving with Bubby, Tammy, Natasha and Robert; a great holiday was exactly what I needed.
DECEMBER: More stressful than I would have ever imagined. Finished the first semester of senior year with a rough note. Realized that my future is up to me and that I can't let anyone hold me back. Celebrated a nice quiet Christmas with mom and dad; enjoyed the family time and mom's good cooking. Moved with mom back in with dad.
link of the day: Made In America I don't know how many times I've listened to this song. It's probably in my top favorite 100 songs for sure.
days until Senior Year Part 2 begins: 5
days until I become an adult: 8
days until graduation: 140
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
update: moving status
You know how I said we were moving on Saturday? That the movers would be out Saturday morning? Well, I found something out today. We're moving on FRIDAY, not Saturday. So that complicates things on my end a bit, considering that I had things planned out through the week up until the time the movers got here. It looks like there's going to be a lot of coffee and tea intake between now and Saturday.
I realized yesterday that if I clean my car out, I'll only have to pile everything back into it to move it on Friday, which would be redundant; naturally I haven't even thought again to touch anything in that car.
Things to accomplish tonight include going through my clothes and piling up things that don't fit to give to Care and Share (similar to Goodwill) down town, clean out the hall closet, and gather my notebooks and magazines together into a box. And I'm sure there's even more I could do tonight to minimize what we'll have to do tomorrow night.
I realized yesterday that if I clean my car out, I'll only have to pile everything back into it to move it on Friday, which would be redundant; naturally I haven't even thought again to touch anything in that car.
Things to accomplish tonight include going through my clothes and piling up things that don't fit to give to Care and Share (similar to Goodwill) down town, clean out the hall closet, and gather my notebooks and magazines together into a box. And I'm sure there's even more I could do tonight to minimize what we'll have to do tomorrow night.
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