Highlights from my 18th year

As of today, I am 19. Its pretty crazy for me to think about- maybe that I've made it 19 years or maybe that it just doesn't feel as if I am that old.

Either way I am glad to see 19 come but at the same time 18 really was a great year. It had its not so good times as well but with the good comes the bad. In no particular order here are some (aka the ones I could think of right now) highlights of my 18th year: -The end of Senior year. This included senior prom, which was such a great time.

-Getting Invisaligns to straighten my teeth. I had the actual invisaligns from a little bit before my 18th birthday until about October. Now I wear a "retainer" constantly but will get to gradually wean off of it here soon.
-Graduation!! Seniors 2009 baby!! I graduated high school finishing 8th in my class. I got a couple good scholarships from the college and a couple outside ones as well.

-My graduation party! It was so much fun. I would go back to high school just to do it again! Ok, maybe not but it was pretty fun!

-Getting my Nikon DSLR camera. Its my baby ;) I love having it and eventually I plan to get off the P setting and unto the Manual one.

-Having my photography grow. Somewhat because of my Nikon but somewhat because of my talent as well. Having people ask me to take portraits for them and doing a number of photo shoots. My photography has really advanced lately and for that I am excited and hope it continues to grow.

-Regaining Whittney back as my closest friend. There was a short period of absence with our friendship, we kind of drifted apart, but towards the beginning of my 18th year we started to come back together and now I think we are closer than ever. And for that, I am grateful. She really is the greatest friend, scratch that, sister a girl could have.

-I started college and have found that it isn't really what I expected. It has its good and its bad, some days I like it and some days I don't. I have been doing pretty well and have passed all my courses with A's or B's. We will see with spring semester but I hope that holds true.

-I made the Deans list for fall semester. Barely. but it still counts =]

-I got to be in the live audience at one of Jack Hanna's specials. It was exciting. Living where I do that is probably the only opportunity I will ever have for something like this and the closest I will ever get to a celebrity. I got his autograph to ;)

- I did my first field through school. I was in a second grade classroom. I got very good feedback so despite my nervousness and all things like that I obviously did well enough to be commended on my efforts. I really hope I am making the right choice with teaching.

I know there is so much more that has happened this last year that is noteworthy but I can't think of anything else at the moment and I am running short on time. College has kept me on a short leash so far this semester, I haven't had the time for much other than homework.

Oh, I forgot to include the fact that I got this blog and I enjoy everything about it- so thank you all who read it- you have helped make my 18th year all the better!!!

Love,

Goodbyes

I hate goodbyes. In any way, shape, or form I am not a fan. Whether for a few minutes, hours, weeks, or years I struggle with and try to avoid them. I hate the uncertainty they bring, the gap of time where anything could happen, the feeling of being left, and the questions that haunt my mind about the way the goodbye went and the terms that person and I were on when they said it (were they secretly annoyed,but pretending to be nice? Did I say something that may have made them mad and they couldn't wait to get rid of me? Did I sound dumb or act like a fool?)

Case in point: Goodbyes are a dreaded, hated thing for me. They are even worse when you have to say goodbye to your best friend.

Three days ago, I had to do just that. I had to say goodbye to Brittany, one of my best friends because she has decided to go to college about 6-7 states away.

I will miss her dearly. Her silly sense of humor even when she was making fun of how short I was. Her eagerness for anything and the way she made even the most mundane tasks fun. Her line of promises and bets about how she will read so many books that she never did find the time to read. Her talk of movies and the list she continuously added to for me to watch. Her encouragement and kind words, and how she always knew the right thing to say. How she always left a glass of water sitting in the same spot in my room. How hard it was to end a conversation to make time for sleeping when one of us slept over.

Most of all I am just going to miss having my best friend around - everything about her will be missed.
All of us at her surprise going away party: Rochelle,Katie,Brittany,Jamie,Me,Lizzy. Poor Britt got caked by Katie!
Lizzy, Me, and Brittany right after her party.
The last time I saw her, when I left her house from spending the night on her last day here.

Brittany I will miss you dearly. I hope that you keep in touch and that our friendship still continues to grow even with 6-7 states between us. I hope that you have an amazing time at college and that you don't forget about your friends here. I hope that you always know I am here for you and that I'll always be your best friend.

Thanks for everything you've done, I wish you the best.

I wish this was my last goodbye for this week, but its unfortunate to me that it's not. Jodi and the girls will be leaving here in a few days, for a few days. They will be four hours away. I have spent almost everyday with them this summer, and its going to be pretty hard to see them go. Even more so because that leaves me with 2 best friends gone, and the other one at work. What will I do? I hate being bored and lonely!

Oh how I hate goodbyes...saying goodbye to two best friends within a week and having all three of them busy? This stinks.

Love,

I'ts official, I'm done.

I am no longer a high school student, but a high school graduate. After 15 years of school I was able to walk across that stage and snag up that half sheet of paper that proves I met the necessary requirements set by the state. Ahhh to finally be done, a rewarding yet scary thing. Its about time though, going to school for SIX years in a row to keep up my perfect attendance I am so glad I do not have to worry about that anymore.

I still can not manage to wrap my head around it. It does not really feel like its over. It does not seem like I will not see my classmates everyday or eat lunch in that cafeteria ever again. It still feels like, come fall, I will return to that same school, shove my stuff in that same locker, hear that same bell, and take notes from those same teachers. It will sink in eventually but for now, summer is what is consuming my mind ;)

Back to graduation: I have pictures! yay! My neighbor, Randi (to visit her, click HERE) volunteered to take pictures at senior night and graduation, bless her heart! She took some awesome shots, per usual, so without further hesitation, here they are!

Senior night! I won two scholarships. Can you say hooray!
Graduation day! Here is the cover to our program.

These would be some of my closest friends. I wanted a normal picture but the two goofs in the back did not allow for that!
I ranked 8 in my class, which is really good. This is me, Melinda, and Brittany (8,7,6) standing up for the top ten recognition. The thing on my neck is my NHS stole, which all three of us were also in, and the rope is for being in the top ten.
After top ten, they announced scholarships (that were not awarded to you by your college) people had gotten. We had to stand and turn towards the audience when they announced us.

After that I was time to receive our diplomas! I was lucky I did not trip, or shake with the wrong hand.
After the ceremony, outside with my family!

A collage of pictures I took with friends after the ceremony! I took more but I can only involve the people who have given me permission to put them on here, lol.
And finally- me with my diploma (yes, I blurred it out for protection purposes.)

And that's the end of my high school career. Thank you so much to my classmates for filling these years with awesome memories and making high school an amazing experience. Thank you to my family and friends for everything you have done for me: you are much appreciated. Thank you.

Congrats Class of 2009! We're Done!

My Class motto: What we do in life echoes in eternity. Gladiator.

My Class song: Dare you to move by Switchfoot.

My Class flower: White Rose

Love,

PROM!!!

wow. prom was amazing this year. I can even begin to describe the fun in words and I know that you didn't come here to read about it anyway so I will just use pictures. The descriptions will be underneath, so enjoy and comment! This is Me with Randi, my wonderful neighbor. She took all the beautiful pictures of us before prom. She did such a wonderful job and I am so glad to have her as my friend/neighbor/role model/photographer buddy! (PS, you can find her over at Mymomentsastoldbyme.com)

This would be me.
This would be Jodi, my twin =] We are so much alike its crazy really.This is me with Gavin and Landon, Randi's boys. Aren't they adorable?
Us again.

My family and I.

One of my best friends, Kelley, and me.

My best friends! In order shortest to tallest- Me,Kelley,Lizzy,Brittany.

Jumpin!

One of my favorites, where did my legs go?

Another favorite. Well actually all the ones on here are my favorites lol

My best friend Brittany and I, shes the best!

My group, Kelley,Me,Brittany,Courtney,Lizzy

We spotted some boys! lol.

Actually at prom, waiting on the food.

All my best friends! From top to bottom: Jamie,Brittany,Me,Lizzy,Rochelle,Katie,Courtney.

Jamie and I!

Whittney and I

Melinda and I, Her mom handbeaded that dress, isnt that amazing!

Jodi and I again, Love this girl!

Katie and I! aww!

Mirror shot, shes so much taller!

And then, after prom we had to stop at wall mart cause that's the cool thing to do!

Well anyways that is a picture summary of my Senior prom! Well some pictures anyways, I have so many more but I had to limit it down to my favorites (which you see I had a hard time doing anyways lol) Hope you like them and please comment!