And We All Float On Okay

This blog has really gotten me thinking; what is high school to me?

I remember being so excited entering high school; thinking they were going to be the best 4 years of my life. Now that I am nearing the end, I can't wait for it to be over.  After 4 years of this place, and it's sad that it has taken me this long to figure it out, I have come to this realization:

High school is not your life.

Teenagers base themselves on how they are viewed by their peers in high school.  We think that if we are invited to a party or if we hang out with the right people then we can be popular and liked.  Or, it could be the other side of it; if you don't go to parties and hang out with 'weirdos", or maybe you are a weirdo yourself, then you won't be popular.

Who decided this?  No where it is written down that we have to look a certain way or act a certain way, yet we all believe it.  And then there are those teenagers who boycott the idea of "popularity" and go to the polar extreme of things by doing opposite of what everyone else thinks.  We are all trying to fit in, that's what high school is all about for us.  Sure, some of us like to focus on the work part of it all, but how many of us do our homework at the last minute, cursing at the heavens when an assignment is due the next day and we are staying up late to finish it?  We are more focused on being accepted by our peers than things like homework that will get you father in life.

Remember in elementary school, way back when we were "little kids", where everyone played together at recess?
Where all you did all day was "make a poster about your favourite animal" assignments or "write a story about your weekend"?
When the least of your worries was getting to the front of the water fountain line because you were so thirsty from playing tag at recess with all 32 of your classmates, making sure you sat beside Cindy on the bus ride home because Annie was already sitting with her on the way there, getting your in-class questions done quickly so you could go on the computer and play Math Circus?

Where am I going with this? Well, it just goes to show that all of the drama that happens in high school is completely a joke.  All the rumors that are made up about your classmates or all the anger you have towards your best friend for doing something you are jealous you couldn't do is not needed.  Yet, you see this happen all the time, and why? To make it more exciting, to get noticed, to make a statement.

What many of us don't realize is that in the end, all of this won't matter.  We all worry about this specific image that we have to be when in doing this we forget to understand the more important things in life; ourselves.  As cheesy and cliche that may sound, it's the truth. After graduation everyone moves on, and no one cares anymore.  So when you look back and see everything you missed, you will wish that you never missed it.

High school isn't easy.  And it never was, I'm sure our parents went through the exact same social issues as we are all going through right now. But unfortunately, no matter how many generations overcome it,  we all still have to go through it.  It's a chance to learn from our mistakes.

I one day stumbled upon this video, and this blog post reminded me of it.  When I watch it, it reminds me that life is good, and to appreciate the small things in life that you pass over when you are too worried about the things that don't matter.

So I say auf wiedersehen to you, high school, and I thank you, not for what you've done, but what I've learned from you.

"Bad news comes don't you worry even when it lands.

Good news will work its way to all them plans."

~ Modest Mouse

Spoken Like a True Warrior!

"Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told, "I am with you kid Let's go!"  

~Maya Angelou 

 

A Red Dress to Impress

Prom is right around the corner, and let me just tell you I am so excited, mainly because I know what is in store for the night, AND I have purchased the dress of my dreams, literally.  Ever since I pictured prom, I imagined me in a long red dress.  This is the dress that is on it's way into my hands (for a good price too, only 100 moolahs, yea yea!) and onto my body.
I.
Couldn't.
Be.
More.
Excited (no sarcasm intended).

And who knew there would be so much planning into running the night!
    Well, actually, that's a lie, I knew there would be a lot to do, I just thought saying that fitted perfectly with the context.

True Statement: I dislike all those people that are bashing prom and are planning on not going, just because it is prom.  Why do you have to be so negative? If you chose not to go it will be the one night of your life that you will regret (except for any future night endeavors you may pursue... I'm not suggesting anything!).  So, splurge a little; go to prom and have the time of your life.

And who knows, maybe you too will find the dress of your dreams.

"Life is pain, princess. . . anyone who says differently is selling something."

~Wesley, The Princess Bride

The Try-Hards, The Die-Hards.

The try-hard, the die-hard,
They start of with a statement,

"I'm going to be different. Yea, you heard me, I said different!"

The try-hard, the die-hard,
They start of with a dream,

"High school will be different; Maybe I'll make a friend, or two..."

The try-hard, the die-hard,

They start of with a belief,

"I'm going to go to so many parties; I'm going to be popular. I got to be popular."

The try-hard, the die-hard,

They start of with hope,

"If I just do the homework and hang out with the right people, I'll go far."

The try-hard, the die-hard.

      You mean, all of us.

"Cause I'm bigger than my body gives me credit for" ~ John Mayer

You Rock, Don't Every Change

Oh it's that time of year again; yearbook photos. 

There are so many possibilities in what to write in one's yearbook: there is the repeated, "Have a great summer!" or even, "Wow this year went by fast! Hope you have a good year!"
And of course you're going to get the ones, "I love you so much! I'm going to miss you! We have to hang out everyday this summer! Okay? LOVE YOU! xoxoxo".

But by far, my favourite yearbook quote has got to be, "you rock, don't ever change."  So cliche, right?  That's why it's perfect! Even though you know how cheesy it is, it will still make you smile when you read it!  I wish I could say I made this one up, but the credit has to go to Gordo on that one episode of Lizzie McGuire. Lizzie is asking Gordo about what she should write in the total hottie, Ethan Kraft's, yearbook, and Gordo tells her to write, "you rock, don't ever change", and Lizzie thinks that is like, the most cliche thing to write in you're crushes yearbook, but when Ethan comes up and asks her to write in his book, she writes, "you rock, don't ever change."

Lizzie, your courage to use such a slogan in your crushes yearbook has inspired lovers everywhere.

Yearbooks are a weird phenomenon. Now, you're probably thinking, "Weird? What is so weird about a book of all of your memories of high school?" That's just it; it's the one book that when you are older you regret when you children find it and pull it out, point out your horrible school picture from grade 10 (emphasis on horrible, I want to purposely lose that yearbook so my children never find it) and point out all the weird outfits everyone is wearing.  I have not yet to see my parents yearbooks, and I believe this is exactly the reason why.

So why do we love them so much?  Maybe it's because we like to scope out all the pictures we made it into, or scope out how many times the same people appear on every page (like last years yearbook, don't even get me started on that one), I really couldn't tell you the answer to this question. I too wait every year for the yearbook to come out, and as soon as I get it, I look through it once and then throw in my my sisters vacant room.

My signing for this years yearbook, "You rock, don't ever change, however, you just wasted $20".

I rest my case.  This meeting is adjourned.

"Yeah, well, there's lots of weird stuff in this world - tofu bacon, hairless cats, country music."
-Gordo, Lizzie McGuire

(Instert Title Here)

Keyboards are typing away.
Pens are writing down stories, poems, screenplays,
Heads are being scratched, legs are being crossed.
Nails are being bitten, gum is being chewed, pages are being flipped, glances are made.
Creativity is flowing from the mind to the fingertips of every student in this room.
Except for me.
I've got no creativity, no inspiration.
*sigh*

Places I Dream of Living After High School

5. Ryerson University Campus

This has become more of a reality than a dream, so technically it was kicked off this list a few weeks ago but who really cares.  Since grade 9 I dreamed of going to Ryerson for Theatre.  At first I thought I was crazy and should strive for something I'd realistically get into, but once I got accepted for Theatre Production I new I was not crazy for doing so.  This acheivement now pushes me to believe in all of my dreams, and to finish highschool with higher than a 75% average overall. Woah.










4. Australia

Specifically with that man.  I know, this is a scene from the movie Australia and Hugh Jackman doesn't actually walk around the country like that, but maybe if I ask him really nicely he would?  Another reason why I'd like to go to Australia is because my friend Evie lives there, and in grade 9, I promised her that when I turned 18 I would come to her door step and give her a visit.  To be honest, it might not be until I am 28, but still; it's going to happen.



3. New York City
As you can see, I've already been to New York City, and let me tell you, it was the time of my life.  It has always been my dream to be on Broadway (and going to Ryerson for Theatre Production helps me that much more), and if I'm going to be on Broadway, I'm going to need to walk the walk as much as talk the talk.  And the fashion here in unbelievably wonderful.  Do you see all those lights?  How can I not be attracted!














2. Guatemala

I would give anything to wake up to this view one more time.  My experience in Guatemala at the NPH Orphanage is one that I will never forget, and one that I hope to experience one more time.  A week at this place was not enough, which is why one day after I'm all done school and I have the money to get down there, I'd like to volunteer at the orphanage for a year. I made so many friends there, some that I still keep in touch with, and to see them again would make me the happiest person in the world.



1. Ireland

Ireland has always been my top choice to live.  And this picture is exactly the environment I want to be living in.  I know, it's a little different than New York City and every other destination that I have decided I want to live, but that's exactly why it's #1.  To live off the coast of Ireland in a stone house with only my husband would be peaceful, tranquil; a change from what I am used to.  And what is better than falling asleep to a thunderstorm all cozied up to a fire with the love of your life?  I wouldn't know.  Yet.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"~ Elenor Roosevelt

 .

Son of a Twitch

I have a twitch in my eye.

It wasn't until last semester that I discovered through my english teacher that the cause of the eye twitch is due to stress.
Now, it probably doesn't help that I am writing this entry for my ISU blog at nearly midnight, but that's when I work best; under stress.

Stress is a silly thing, and it appears to be more noticable during the school year.  And it makes sense.  There are several things a teenager has to worry about on the average school day:
                                        
                            1. The Day (in general)
                            2. Friends
                            3. Lunch (pizza or sushi? "Hey, I heard there is a new chinese place in the plaza!")
                            4. Finishing Essay for Next Period in Library
                            5. Handing In Essay
                            6. After School Activities
                            7. Part-Time Job
                            8. Friends
                            9. Homework
                           10. Sleep (option)

 With all these things, there is barely enough time in one day to get it all done (hence the option of sleep; makes the day longer giving one more time).  And when it comes down to it, a little stress never hurt anyone, right?

...right?

.

My Head Hurts

My head hurts.
    I like this shirt.
         It's 2:35,
              this computer is not mine.
                    I wanna play CoD.
                          I miss my iPod.
                                This day is too long, like the longest song.
                                         I have to go to work,
                                               ... I don't want to go to work.
                                                          I like this blogs style,
                                                                 it could probably go for miles,
                                                                           but we use kilometers here.
                                                                                    Now watch me disappear.
                                                                                                                             *poof*