Finding Joy: blog hop #2

3 things I did last year that I really loved:

1. CILTS. Campers In Leadership Training. This was without a doubt the best experience of my life. Not only was it the best year I've ever had at Camp Tecumseh, it was also the time I made some of the best friends I've ever had. I learned that joy is an active choice and a decision during CILTS. It changed my life and I've never loved any experience so much as I loved those 2 weeks last summer. (even if I did have mono).

2. This year I brought my friend Isabela along on spring break with my family. We went to Captiva, Florida and spent a whole week in paradise. I go to Captiva every year with my family, but I've never had a friend go with me. Since I basically just like to relax and be lazy when I'm there, I was a little nervous about having Izzy come with me. She's so fun and full of energy and I wasn't sure if my spring break would go as planned. I was right-- it did not go as planned. It was SO MUCH BETTER. I've never had so much fun on vacation. We read books, swam in the ocean, had many delicious seafood dinners, caught some rays, slept in, watched movies, and so many other fun things. I loved spring break with Isabela and I'm so glad she came with me.

3. I know it seems silly and cliche to say that one of my favorite things from this year was prom... but I really had a great time! I spent the night eating, dancing, and talking with great people- some of my favorite things! Just being around so many great friends made it really fun and I'm glad that TJ and I got to go out and have fun for one of the last times before he moves. Prom was great fun and definitely one of the most fun times I've had this year.

3 songs I listened to a lot this year:

1. Gravity by Sara Bareilles

2. What Love Really Means by JJ Heller

3. Magic by B.o.B.

3 people I didn't know before this year that were main characters in my life:

1. Sarah Wright. I met Sarah at Camp Tecumseh last summer during CILTS. She was one of my counselors. Even though we had a few bonding moments during the session, I feel like were really became close at home in Carmel. Whether it has been going to Mellow Mushroom, to Orange Leaf, to North Central's choir concert, or to Michaels, I always have a blast with her. I can tell her anything and call her any time. Our friendship started at camp and grew through that common interest, but I am so so happy that we carried our friendship into the real world.

2. Molly Henry. Molly was a CILT too, but she went during a different session than I did. Luckily, the CILT reunion last December let us meet for the first time! Molly and I both love Harry Potter, Diet Coke, Camp, and a bunch of other really great things. I'm so glad we met and that we still spend a lot of time together at home. Going out to dinner and just doing fun things with Molly is such a blast and I'm super glad we became friends.

3. Mary Claire Clemons. Mary Claire maybe doesn't realize how big of an impact she had on me. When we met during CILTS last summer, I was so inspired by her kind, bubbly, exciting personality. She was so much fun to be around and I wished I could be that energetic and fun all the time. Even though we haven't done very well at keeping in touch since summer (since we live in different states), seeing her at both CILT reunions felt like no time had passed at all, and I'll see her again for Day Camp in just about a week or so. I know we'll have so much fun this summer and I hope we can keep our friendship strong for a long time.