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.

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.

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

10DYC: one picture (of me)

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

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