Memorial Weekend

I guess summer is officially here since my siblings are now done with school and I don't have to get up early to take them anymore. The only downside to this is that they'll be home all day now. I'm just kidding, my siblings are fairly cool. I just hope that I can tolerate them all summer...

Friday night into Saturday afternoon I was on a camping trip with my youthgroup that was for Seniors only, so the annoying kids weren't there. Again, I am joking, I love my youthgroup. Friday night we sat around the campfire and roasted stuff and just talked, it was pretty amazing. I love it when I can catch up with people and spend quality time with them. Especially if I won't see them as often anymore. Then, on Saturday we took a two mile hike. (That's right AC, I went hiking.) Luckily I didn't fall of any rocks or break any bones and I got through it without dying. I consider that a successful hike.

On the way home from the trip we stopped to grab a turtle that Megan wanted for a pet, but then it started snapping at us. Evil turtle. So we pulled over on the side of the road to let it go. Little did we know that Matt's phone fell out of his pocket and we left that on the side of the road as well. Eventually some people went back to get the phone, so it's not so bad.

Today I went strawberry picking at seven in the morning and had a wonderful time. My family strawberry picks every memorial day weekend for as long as I've been alive and when I was nine, I joined the tradition. Since my grandpa is no longer able to pick his own strawberries I've taken up his post. The best part about this is that whatever my grandma doesn't want I get to keep and eat. I love it.

My daddy is here. Bye.

No More DHS

Today is the day I graduate and I feel I need to post a blog. The truth behind the lack of posts lately is the lack of things that I have done. I have been moderately busy, what with my one exam and working maybe two hours a week, and the two awards banquets I've gone to, but there was always time to blog and nothing to blog about.

If someone asked me if I made an impact on Duchesne, I would have to give you a big "no". I didn't wow the school with great performances on stage or on a field, and I didn't get great honors with my academics. When I did work on the plays it was always behind stage, and I guess that's the kind of person I've always been. I can take direction and help things get accomplished.

If someone asked me if I made an impact on the students, I'd say yes. I've never been a very outgoing person and most people wouldn't be able to tell you what my favorite TV show is, but if you asked them if I was nice, I think all of them would say yes. I've made it a point to be kind to everyone, and if someone asked me for help, I would try my best to help them. I didn't get into any fights or have any detentions, but I guess that's because I always took the safe route. I didn't make waves or reach out because I was always afraid of the repercussions.

But tonight when I graduate I know things will change, if not immediately, then gradually. After the graduation is over all the seniors are going to a lock-in until five tomorrow morning, and I plan on having a blast and being myself, not the quiet girl most of them know me as.

Tomorrow I'll tell you all about it, when I wake up.

Shell is No Longer a "Winner's Market"

So, you know how I talk sometimes about the Shell station up the street from my house? Yeah, the one with the nice guy who gives me free soda sometimes. Well, I have sad news, the jacked up the prices on their fountain drinks! If you know me at all, you will know how greatly this has upset me. I almost paid a FULL DOLLAR for my coke today, not a happy moment. The cups for the 32oz sodas I get say "Winner's Market" on them and right now I'm looking at mine and thinking, "You are no winner, you're just a sham!" I am appalled at this! So close to graduation and they have to rip me off like that! I just have to say, I'm going to Quik Trip next time. They keep their prices low, and I love that.

Spins Madly On

Here we are on a lovely Thursday afternoon, and I'm realizing I haven't blogged in almost a week...for shame! I suppose I could say that I've been too busy hanging out with people, that I've been reading and writing a bunch, that I've immersed myself in some new music; and while that all may be true, the fact of the matter is that I really haven't had anything blog worthy go on in my life.

Right now I'm listening to "World Spins Madly On" by The Weepies and I'm thinking about how true this song is. If you've never heard it, you should listen to it. It's about how no matter how still you stand, the world is still moving. No matter how much you might want everything to just stop and stay the way it is, that's not the way life works.

My last full week of school is next week, and that scares the hell out of me. I have summer ahead, but beyond that is my entrance to that big world out there. AH! I really don't know how this all will turn out, but I'm writing every night and hoping that this will be enough.

Tomorrow is the scheduled "senior skip day" so people can get ready for prom tomorrow night. For those of us lucky enough not to be going it means we can relax all day. Or that's what it SHOULD mean. I will be working starting at ten and then I have to pick up siblings from school at noon. Oh well, Cecilia and I will get some Taco Bell and then go over to my older sister, Suzanne's house. That should be fun.

I guess this is adequate in length...now I have to find something to do. I'm so bored! Three day weekend, nothing to do!

Never Cry Quotes

Last night I watched Saved with my cousin and I thought it would be cool for people to tell me their favorite Saved quotes because it has many classic lines. What I got in return was a bunch of people telling me their favorite movies to quote.

This included such classics as The Princess Bride, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Heavyweights. It also included ridiculous suggestions such as Marley and Me.

I realize that I shouldn't expect anything more from my family. Their idea of culture is going on vacation. They also only think about Spanish in terms of ordering Mexican food, it's the same for Chinese. I guess that's part of the reason I read so much and watch so many diverse movies. I want to break the mold some of my family has set before me.

I know some of this was in humor, but seriously, there's a point when you've clearly crossed the line.

My thoughts go out to my friend who put down his dog on Saturday. This might help some of you realize that your comments didn't quite work the way you wanted them to. RIP Ginger, 13 years was a long time.

The Complete Persepolis and Lifeteen

Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday...what do I write about on a Tuesday?

I just finished reading a graphic novel called "The Complete Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi. It was a very interesting book about a girl growing up in revolutionary Iran and how this affected her life, views, and relationships. I usually don't read books that are so educational and non-fiction, but this one was really good.

My friend Aaztli had lent it to me when I lent her Will Grayson, Will Grayson so I thought I might as well take a look, and I was not disappointed. Marjane is a very interesting person and if anyone has a chance to check this book out, I highly recommend it.

This past weekend I helped give my last Luke 18 retreat with my youthgroup and I had a blast! Adoration on Saturday was amazing as always and I let the fact that this was my last retreat totally overwhelm me and let me have the best time I could possibly have. It's always nice to be surrounded by so many people who love and support you in your faith, especially when you have to give a talk as difficult as mine was for me. I gave the "hurting and making up" talk, and this is not always easy for people to do. I was so nervous, especially since I don't like speaking in front of people to begin with. Luckily I had friends to support me and pray for me, and I got through it without a hitch.

I really will miss Lifeteen next year.

Hidden Memories

I read a book today called Circle the Soul Softly. It was a very inspiring book for me as an author because Davida Wills Hurwin does such a wonderful job portraying this girl, Katie, who is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and doesn't even realize it.

She knows something is wrong with her, and for a long time she believes she is schizophrenic because she has a lot of symptoms common with that disorder. That is until she remembers. You see, her dad was sick when she was younger and died when she was in eighth grade, but she doesn't have a lot of memories of that time. She only has a nightmare in which a monster, who is a man without a face is chasing her. You go through the novel with her and slowly begin to realize things as she does. Then one of her nightmares turns into a memory. The man without a face is her father, and he disappears to her as she disassociates herself from what he is doing to her. Her father came to her room when she was little.

I know this may sound weird to you normal people out there, but sometimes I wonder if I have repressed memories. I guess that's the author in me. I didn't have a good childhood, I've seen things that most people wouldn't imagine a little girl to know about, and it has made me see things differently. I don't think the same way as other people do, and I guess I should be grateful for this because it helps me write. But there's always that little part of me wondering if there is something deep down I don't remember.

I guess that's it for today. I hope I didn't freak you all out.