Happy Friday! A year ago I wrote this post all about my high school graduation. I wrote that post because I wanted to share pictures with you guys and I had no plans of writing another post about it because in all honesty I'm not that sentimental.
But one day I was fooling around on youtube, my second favorite place on the internet, my bloggy being the first, when I came across this video.
I thought the video was hilarious and I realized right away that this is how I feel about high school. The people who had been my best friends in high school, I never talk to anymore. I run into one every once in a while and we barely know what to say to each other.
When did that happen?
Sometimes it feels like I should still be in high school. Or I regret not keeping stellar connecting with some of my high school friends. I watch shows like Dawson's Creek, Beverly Hills 90210 and other shows where the main characters graduate high school and then move on to college and they are still besties! How?
But then I realized I am not the shy, awkward, self conscious girl I was in high school. Now I'm in college and a lot things I'm not the person I was then. I'm more out going and I love meeting new people. Although I have my off days, like everyone I have become a very confident person. I mean I share my life online don't I? lol
But the most important change that has happened is that I love who I am. I made some good friends and I'm excited to see who I'm going to be in the future. So, maybe high school me would feel sad that my high school life, friends are completed are pretty much in my memories instead of my reality.
What do you remember about your high school graduation? Let me know in the comments below.
How many cultural phenomenons have last the test of time and remained so quotable even 10 years later? I can't think of many. But one that I can think of is the ever popular Mean Girls, that came out exactly 10 years ago today.
This movie took a funny spin on a big issue that still haunts America today, bullying.
For those of you who have lived under a rock for the past ten years Mean Girl is about a girl, Cady Herron (Lindsey Lohan) who was home schooled up until her sophomore year of college. Not only that but she was home schooled in Africa. When she first moves to town she befriends two kids who are consider outcast. But soon she is notice by the most popular girls in school, the plastics. The movie follows her through her journey of finding her place in high school.
The movie was one that I remember people quote in middle school and high school and if you didn't know what they were walking about you were consider weird.
But then everyone and their mother's (well not really there Mothers, Mama J would HATE mean girls if she watched it) was watching it. So, every time I went to someone's house we watched it. And the movie started growing on me. And as the movie started growing on me I started to also quote the movie.
Today I'm going to write something somewhat deep and I'm sort of going to bare my soul to you guys. Before I start I want to give you guys a slight disclaimer, I am in no way trying to throw myself a pity party! So, if you don't want to read this post, I'd understand.
About 2 months ago I wrote this post. In this post I talked about how when I pictured college I pictured being in New York City. Well a few weeks later my friend, Tori came to visit me and we went and hung out at Yale and I memory came crashing back like a ton of bricks.
Let me set the scene, I was in probably 8th grade or 9th grade and I had been binge watching Gilmore Girls, back before "binge watching" was a term used by Americans. One night I went to my favorite hometown resturant eating dinner with Mama J and one of her best friends. I look up from my yummy dinner and declared that when I went to college it would be at an Ivy League school.
Yet some how I ended up at state school down the road from my favorite Ivy League school. What in this wide world happened?
I lost all my motivations. In all honesty I pretty much pushed this idea out of my head to gossip with friend, binge watch TV and avoid studying at all cost!
Almost everyday I drive through an Ivy League school. The place where I work serves mainly those students and I am reminded of that little girl's dream. I am also reminded of Shawn's speech in Boy Meets World when they graduate high school. If you watch the clip below you'll understand. So, go ahead watch it...
Just like Shawn said I could have tried harder. I could have never missed an assignment and I could have really studied for quizzes and test instead of reading over the half assed notes I wrote in class. Seriously I should have done that because I still struggle at studying. I could have forced myself to pay attention to the classes even when I hated and wanted to space out and picture this said life.
I could have been this girl. The girl who wore the Yale t-shirt because they went there instead of because they just wanted to have one.
Me in my Yale shirt because I wish I was a Yalie!
But at the same time if I had tried that hard I wouldn't be the person I am today. I would constantly in a state of stress. I would want to curl up in a ball and cry. I wouldn't have made the friends I have. Hell I might not have even started this blog. What kind of world would that be?
If weird how stupid dreams you have are never meant to come true. There was some naive girl who thought that Yale would be easy to get into. So, no I never applied, I don't even think it ever crossed my mind when I was a senior that I would want to go to an Ivy League school or to even get rejection letter for some fabulous school just because.
So, Yale wasn't in the cards for me but it could have been if the deck had been shuffled differently.
What was something you wanted when you little that you never got? Let me know in the comments below.
-P.S. - If you want to see one of the many reason I love Yale and have 15 minutes to kill then watch this awesome student made video!
What's up blogging world? Does that sound cheesy? Sorry if it is. But you see I'm in a giddy mood. Why? Well you see I'm writing this post a WHOLE week in a advance and tomorrow (the day before Valentine's day here in the time that I'm writing) I have a snow day!
Anyways I was procrastinating taking my anthro online quiz and came across a post that the lovely Natalie wrote a while ago and was like I want to do my own version! But you can check her post right here.
But anyways do you remember those Facebook notes that everyone used to do? You know, the ones where they would ask you who was the last person you kissed? What does your last text message say? etc...
Any ways I decided to throw it back so I went to my Facebook page, went back in my notes and I'm going to show you the old answer as well as the new ones, I want to see how much I've grown.
So, let's check out a note circa December 2009, so I was a sophomore in high school which perf because I'm a sophomore in college. Please don't judge me too much. Also its titled snow day so that's perfect!
Q: You going to be one hundred percent honest? 2009: why not
2014: I'll try Q: If your girlfriend/boyfriend broke up with you tonight, what would you do? 2009: i wouldn't cry cuz i don't have no
2014: Don't worry bloggy world you aren't missing anything I still am a single pringle so I could be very confused Q: What are you wearing on your feet? 2009: nail polish 2014: Apparantly I was feeling sassy back in 2009. But today I am wearing my neon pink socks and my sock monkey slippers. Q: Has the opposite sex ever written you a poem? 2009: no
2014: sadly the answers the same. Q: Do you think a lot of people think bad things about you? 2009: i don't care if they do 2014: Probs but really could care less, live and let live. Q: Was last night enjoyable for you? 2009: i guess
2014: I was very grouchy but I did watch Teen Wolf and Are you the One Q: Do you change your phone background a lot? 2009: no my is from months ago 2014: No, mine is from Thanksgiving but its my little cousin and he's adorbs so its all good. My lock screen has been my lock screen for as long as I've had it. Q: How's your heart lately? 2009: just confused
2014: I never understood these questions like are you asking me if I've been happy or about my love life? Q: If you were being chased by an alligator, what would you do? 2009: run in a zig zag because that's supposed to confuse them 2014: I would probably run in zig zag, 2009 me wasn't too stupid I guess. Q: Are you happy? 2009: yes 2014: I'm feeling very indifferent today. Q: Do you want to tell someone how you feel? 2009: no because i want to know how he feels first 2014: When I say I'm a single pringle I mean there is NO ONE in my life right now. Q: Ever gave a really long apology? 2009: yes
2014: Apparently I have but I don't remember it. Q: Has anyone told you they don't ever wanna lose you? 2009: no
2014: Not in a cute romantic way, but all the people who have said that have walked out of my life so there is that. Q: Who was the last person you high fived? 2009: idr someone though 2014: I don't remember the last time I got a high five. Q: Whats the last thing that made you smile? 2009: the group that christine joined about solving for x. 2014: I don't know what I was saying in 2009 sorry. But now I don't remember probably something I was watching. Q: Will you be in a relationship next month? 2009: maybe 2014: Realistically no, but you never know right. Q: Who did you last yell at and why? 2009: my mom? 2014: Probably Mama J, something don't change. Q: Is your best friend pissing you off at this exact moment? 2009: no not really 2014: No Q: Has anyone ever called you a bitch? 2009: yes 2014: Yup. Q: Will you be a strict parent one day? 2009: in the middle of strict and not strict 2014: Most likely, sorry future kids Q: Can you go in public looking like you do? 2009: no 2014: Yes, consider I wore it to class earlier today Q: Do you like Olive Garden? 2009: its okay 2014: Yes, I really like now, something's do change. Q: How did you feel when you woke up? 2009: i have to keep my eyes open to check the closing. 2014: Grouchy, I hate mornings. Q: What does your hair look like? 2009: up 2014: Short, straight and pony tail Q: When was the last time you saw your father? 2009: last week 2014: Summer Q: Why did you last blush? 2009: idk 2014: talking to a cute boy Q: Do you like your life as it is now? 2009: yes 2014: Its a little stressful but I like it. Q: Do you wish someone would call or text you right now? 2009: yes but he doesn't have my number unless he's a creeper so he won't call me. 2014: A boy, sure if he already has my number, if he sweeted talked it out of one of my friend that's weird so nah. But a friend sure, I might not answer, its on the other side of my bed charging. Q: Have you been kissed by someone who's name starts with a J? 2009: no 2014: Something never change. ;) Q: Do you drink coffee? 2009: no 2014: I don't like it. Q: Do you crack your knuckles? 2009: i just did 2014: Yeah probs more then I should Q: Do you get along with girls? 2009: yes 2014: Yes, I a lot of my friends are female Q: Do you like surprises? 2009: depends on what they are 2014: Normally no, I like to plan. Q: Are you listening to any music? 2009: no the t.v. 2014: I'm watching Youtube Q: When was the last time you laughed really hard? 2009: math class 2014: Yesterday in my COM class Q: Last awkward moment? 2009: idk 2014: I don't remember Q: Have you ever liked someone older than you? 2009: yes 2014: Not by much Q: Think of the person who's hurt you the most in the past year, who is it? 2009: someone 2014 Nobody, its been a pretty good year Q: In the past week have you cried? 2009: yes 2014: yes Q:Do you have a crush on anyone? 2009: yes why yes i do 2014: Nope, there is nobody I know well enough to like. Q: How many different people of the opposite sex have you cried over? 2009: none 2014: One Q: Are you tan? 2009: no im pale 2014: I call myself Casper the Ghost Q: What do you miss? 2009: nap time
2014: Going home every weekend!
So, that's a slight look at what I was like in 2009. Want to see a picture?
So, Happy Friday! This weekend is exciting because one of my best friend is coming to visit me at college! Have a great weekend!
Today I'm linking up with Hayley and Lauren for their Link-Up, The Girl Between the Lines!
Each week they post a prompted to help readers get to know other bloggers on a more personal level. This weeks prompted (taken word for word from Hayley) is...
How did you picture this part of your life when you were younger? How is it different? How is it the same? Since I'm a college student, I decided that the best time to look back in his high school. Why? Because high school is the time that everyone is looking forward to the next chapter of their lives. Its the time that you most picture who you'll be in college. Now as bad as this might sound, I wish I was the person that the high school version of me thought I would be. But in some way I'm making strides to become that person. When I first entered high school I was convinced that I would be going to college in the city, New York City or Boston to be exact. I have always loved the city and wanted to live their more then anything else in the world. I thought I would be taking the T or the subway everywhere I went! I could picture this life, clear as day.
That is the first really memory I have of who I thought I would. The next one though, I can picture having this thought so clear. I remember sitting in my junior year Trig class, I was wearing yoga pants, a sweat shir and moccasins, most college girls uniform. I remember not finding Trig all that interesting (#sorrynotsorry) so I started day-dreaming. In my day dream I was sitting in an interesting college course, and instead of a classroom it was a lecture hall. Which I still haven't had a lecture class to this day. I was taking notes on laptop instead of by pen and paper. Instead of wearing some lame over sized sweatshirt I with my college name on it. On my yoga pants it said a sorority letters. As the day dream continued the class ended and went to student center with one of my sorority sisters. Life seemed perfect! Not only did I think I would a sorority girl going to school in the city but I also thought that I would be doing amazing in school and not having academic difficulties and would probably be in a relationship with the one. Which looking back on this those ideas were very naive but its who I thought I would be. Pretty much none of what I thought I would be doing ended up true. Its crazy how you can picture your life one way and have it turn out to be the total opposite. I don't know if the girl who I pictured being would be happier then the girl I turned out to be but at least I'm happy now and I still have time to complete goals that, that young girl set forth. Who did you picture being? Let me know in the comments below. And come back tomorrow to see what I would tell that younger version of me in a letter to me.
Today I need this blog to be my place to let out my very strong emotions because my feelings are so strong and over whelming. If you are looking for the normal happy go lucky person I normally am I suggest that you look at yesterday's post or wait until I post again.
Anyone who knows me well you know I love dogs, I get super dupper excited when I get anywhere near a dog. I see a dog and in a very girly high pitched voice (no, I am not ashamed of the voice) I say "Puppyyyyyyy!"
A year ago this weekend Mama J came to visit me at college and told me that earlier in the week she had to put down our dog. For some people remembering the death of a dog one year later may seem a little crazy and not worth being so upset about. But for me I knew it was that time of year again and couldn't stop thinking about her. I cried a lot this weekend but I was happy to be home with my mom because I know even if she didn't show it the dog was on her mind as well.
Now I'd like to introduce you my best friend...
Meet Rosie, she was my best friend and I miss her dearly. She was quite a character and because of her I have made a ton of great memories. Like...
getting my senior portraits done...
And hanging out on snow days
She got blessed at church...
And love to cuddle
Her favorite place to be was looking out the window...
She loved to play in snow...
And was the most stubborn creature I knew
She was there for me for senior dinner and senior prom. We always took pictures now matter how merpy we looked.
She had to wear the cone of shame for awhile because she had surgery on her ear.
And I got her get well cookie.
She loved it!
I don't know who I would have been without Rosie in my life. She taught me lessons on responsibility. I loved her more anything else in the world and was devastated the day I found out she wasn't around anymore.
There are days I cry like nothing else because I want to cuddle with her one more time more then anything else in world. If I could hold her one more time and give her a kiss I would do anything in the world.
I love you, Rosie more then anything else in the world and would do anything to be with you again! I look at your picture every day because you are the lock screen on my phone. You are with me everywhere I go and always will be. Rest in peace baby girl and know I love you.
But see here's the think, I don't have many memories of being afraid, maybe its because I lived shelter life and have never been in a scary situtation. Maybe its because I'm super brave...nope that's not it I'm terrified of needles and super brave person wouldn't be.
There's only been one movie I can think of that has made me jump out of the seat because I was so shocked and the first time I saw comes with a funny story so I'll share that with you.
Quite a few years a go a movie that many of you have probably heard of that goes by the name of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (This post will not contain any spoilers for the story line of the movie) came out. Being and my best friend, Amelia decide that we wanted to go go see and we went and saw it together the weekend it opened or at least one of the first few weeks it was opened.
The theater was packed to the brim with people and we got the last two seats near each other. Amelia use to have this thing where she wouldn't sit next to strangers in movie theaters so the fact that their were two seats right next to each other and one was an aisle seat was perfect.
The guy who was sitting next was probably about our age and I'm pretty sure he was sitting alone.
So, the whole movie theater was engrossed in the movie. That kind of engrossed where the movie is the only thing you see. It gets to the scene where Harry and Dumbledore are in the cave and Harry reaches into the water. And the other hand pops out. The whole entire theater jumps and screams, EXCEPT the kid that I'm seating next to. Who looks at me like, "That scared you?"
Today I was helping one of my best friend's set up her own blog! She's still setting up and make it the way she wants but once she does I'll share a link with all you lovely people because my friend is an AMAZING writer and her blog is bound to be just as amazing.
While I was helping her I couldn't help but think about what I wanted to write about on my blog today. Then I found my inspiration in cup I was drinking out of.
This is one of my all time favorite quotes EVER! Its not only what the quote is saying but the memories behind the quote. My favorite English teacher in high school had this quote hanging in her classroom when I walked in Freshmen year. Those words stuck with me. That Christmas Mama J got me the mug and its my favorite one.
It got me thinking what would I do if I knew I wouldn't fail? What would I do if I had all the money in the world? What would I do if nobody could tell me that I was wrong? And nobody could stop me?
I would...
....send the scripts for a television series I've been writing to an agent so that it could actually be produced
...be honest with my feelings, even when I'm embarrassed.
...take classes that I find interesting and don't have to do with my majors, along with classes that have do with my majors
...I would move to a city and buy an apartment with a great view, I mean I would have my hit television show right?
...talk to people who look interesting, hoping to make friends.
...find world peace
What would you do if you knew you wouldn't fail? Let me know in the comments below.
Although it seemed like only yesterday I was walking down the driveway of my high school getting ready to receive my diploma. I was excited, I was never a huge fan of my high school, it was too small for my taste, my graduating class was only 154 people/kids/students whatever you want to call us. It was very much a school where everybody knew everybody and everybody knew everybody business.
Don't get me wrong now a year later I like my high school more then the girl I was 365 days ago. I miss certain teachers a lot, Mrs. Flannery (My English teacher for freshmen, sophomore and senior year and yearbook adviser), Mrs. Freddrick (My French teacher every year) and Mr. O'Donnell (Our drama club adviser). I wasn't surprised when I missed them, I was more surprised when I missed kids that I was never really friends with but was always in classes with. I missed the obnoxious kid who could get the teacher off topic, although I hate those types of people in a college classroom. Or the kid who could make everybody laugh with a one liner. Those are the people who I miss and I never thought I would. And of course I miss my friends, the one who were there in the begin and the ones who I met later in high school.
I figured since I started my blog only a little less then two years ago I would share some pictures and stories from my graduation.
The day of my graduation my state was going through an extreme heat wave, it was somewhere between 90-100 degrees and humid the day I graduated. What was even worse was that we were outside on cement instead of grass so it was even hotter! Luckily all the pre-graduation, lining up and such was in the Air Conditioned library.
Before graduation we had time where we could take pictures with friends.
Drama Club senior class of2012: Back row L to R: Me, Caroline, Jeff, Mike, Ben, Emily OD (Our adviser), Molly B, Molly M, Caleb, Matt, Megan. Front Row L to R: Vicki and Allyson
Matt and Me, Matt became one of my best friends Junior an senior year!
Alyssa and Me. We became really close senior year.
Mina and me. We always had a lot of classes together
Marissa and me, we had french together and sat next to each other all 6 years (7th grade - senior year).
Sean and me, we were on the same bus all through high school
My roommates from my senior trip! Alex, me, Becky and Hannah
At every event senior year we took room pictures and always had to have goofy one.
Soon, we had to line up for the actual ceremony. My school lined us up in an interesting way. We do it in a boy /girl pattern and then height order, although it never really works out, because the girls have to estimate how tall they'll be in heels (I LOVE to wear heels) and the estimations are always off.
Getting my diploma, I shaking the superintendent's hand
After graduation I went outside to see Mama J, Grandma and our family friend.
The first post graduation hug with Mama J
Mama J and me
Unfortunately I don't have any pictures with my grandmother because she asked that people don't put pictures of her online and then my computer crashed and I lost all the pictures from November 2012 until about August 2012 (I have a lot of issues with my computer). Luckily the ones above were from my Facebook or Mama J's Facebook so we still have those.
One of my favorite tradition that my school does, I think a lot of other schools do it too is the graduating class votes on what song we should walk out to after the graduation is over. My classes choices were: Don't Stop Believing, The theme song to Friends, another one I can't remember and Tattoos on this town. With my town being a want to be hick town of course, Tattoos on this Town was the winner. If you never heard I'm adding the music video below.
I really liked this choice because our town was the biggest class to go through our high school, or at one point was the biggest class, the numbers are always changing with people moving in and out but at one point we held the record for a few years. We also were the class that in our younger years gave the teaching staff a run for their money.
Its so weird to think that only 366 days ago I was still a high school student. Tomorrow the class of 2013 graduate from my high school. Luckily I think their weather will be better then my was but either way it was a great day.
I'm going to start by saying if you are going to watch the series finale of The Secret Life of an American Teenager don't read this because their will be ***SPOILERS***, also if you have no interest in Secret Life I will not in any way be insulted if you don't read this. So this is your....
***SPOILERS ALERT****
So, five years ago in a world not that differently then the one we live in now I started watching ABC Family's Original series The Secret Life of An American Teenager.
I was a freshmen in high school and the show seemed interesting. Soon I got sucked into the lives of Amy, Ben, Ricky, Adrian, Grace and Jack. The first 2-3 seasons were good, at least the stories, but soon they attempt to push the envelope and add more characters to the story.
In my opinion the show took a turn and started tumbling down hill when they dealt with Adrian and Ben's still born daughter. I believe that the story was to difficult for most teenager to handle. The only reason I continue to watch the show was because I wanted to see how they ended the series.
The worst thing was this past season. Every relationship that was strong they tore apart so that in the series finale they broke up.
Jack and Grace started the season off strong. Jack had just woken up from his coma and they were strong. Then Grace had to chose were she wanted to go to college and Jack got scared. Jack's mom came and threaten Grace telling her she had to stay with Jack and then Jack proposed and they became stiff and awkward. Throughout the whole series I pulled for the two of them. But after the last 10 episode give or take, I was relieve when the writers broke them up.
Grace (Megan Park) and Jack (Greg Finley) in season 1
Grace (Park) and Jack (Finley) in the final season
Although 2 couples did end up together in the series finale. One was a couple that I could never remember if they were together or not. The couple was Henry and Alice. I'm glad that they ended the series with them together. They are probably one of those few high school couples that would make it because they've been through hard times but always went back to each other.
Alice (Amy Rider) and Henry (Allen Evangelista) in season 1
Henry (Evangelista) and Alice (Rider) in the final season
Adrian was a character that in the beginning I loved to hate her but now I love her and was sad to see her go. She went from mean girl, boy crazy girl but in the end she turn to a sweet (most of the time), strong women. She went through hell and back and came out strong. I was happy that in the end they end the series with her engaged to a man who loves her a treats her right.
Adrian (Francia Raisa) in season 1
Adrian (Raisa) in the final season
Ben was a character that I started with the idea that he was the place holder in the relationship of Amy and Ricky. But After the lost of his baby he became a selfish, self rightous jerk. And then in the final season he became obsessed with Amy. I was glad that they ended the series with him not with Amy, although they are going to the same college so...
Ben (Ken Baumann) in season 1
Ben (Baumann) in the final season
Amy had a very similar character transformation she was nice towards the beginning of the series but towards the end she was mean and rude and self center. I remember in one episode right after John was born she said something along the lines of "The only boy I want in my life is John", she started the series off as devoted mom but ended the series as a mom who wanted to leave her son on the other side of the country so that she could go to school in fabulous New York City.
Amy (Shailene Woodley) in season 1
Amy (Woodley) in the final season)
And then there was Ricky, the bad boy, turned into my favorite character. He went from being a lady's man, bad boy who didn't care about anyone or anything. Then he became the best father, a great man, who loves his family and would continue being a good father. And unlike the way the writers wrote the series I do think that Ricky was at one point in LOVE with Amy. And I'm glad that he will of John full time.
Ricky (Daren Kagasoff) in the first season
Ricky (Kagasoff) and John (Matthew/Joseoph Levinson)
I don't agree with the way the writers ended Secret Life. If I had been a writer I would have kept the story the way they had but added one more scene. A season 5 to 10 years in the future. I would have set at either Adrian and Omar or Henry and Alice's wedding. I would have showed Jack had ended up with either Madison or Grace. And if he hadn't chosen Grace, put her Grant. And would have put Amy with Ben because if she couldn't chose Ricky she might as well have chosen and Ben. I would have put Ricky with someone else who loved him, someone who wasn't from the show. And shown that John was thriving and still a happy boy. Mainly I wanted to know that the characters were happy after all they had been through. I just hate that the series finale was only a happy ending for Adrian, Henry and Alice.
Adrian (Raisa), Ricky (Kagasoff), Amy (Woodley), Ben (Baumann) , Grace (Park) and Jack (Finley) if season promo photo
Ashley (India Eisley), Grace (Park), Ricky (Kagasoff), Amy (Woodley), Ben (Baumann), Adrian (Raisa), Jack (Finley) promo picture
Jack (Finley), Grace (Park), Ricky (Kagasoff), Amy (Woodley), Ben (Baumann) and Adrian (Raisa) in a promo picture for the final season
Goodbye Secret Life!
XOXO,
Em
P.S. I also watched the season premiere of ABC family's new show the Foster and I would reccomend that to anyone, its a cute show, great writing, and heart warming.
