Summer

Summer tastes like Diet Coke and freezy pops and ice cream sandwiches and grilled cheese and s’mores and hobo dinners and well water and Oreo pudding and m&m’s.

And summer smells like sweat and the pool and dried mud and horses and paint and crisp air and grass and fire and freshness.

And summer looks like piggybacks and jump roping and sleep outs and mud hikes and high-diving and friendship bracelets and messes and hugs and new friends and smiling and learning and high fives.

And summer sounds like chapel and praying and laughing and screaming and crying and singing and acting and ninja and cup stacking and cheering and Taylor Swift and blobbing and flies and splashing and happiness.

And summer feels like loving and joy and family and fun times and home. 

Top 10 Reasons I'm Grateful Today

10. I'm not taking any math classes this semester.
  9. The warm cookies were m&m today in the dining hall.
  8. I realized that I have so many opportunities to do what I love at this school.

  7. It's midterm week here at SMC... but I don't have any midterms!
  6. I get to talk to camp people like Coll, Annie, Maggie, and Molly throughout my whole day.
  5. Kristina and I never fail to make each other laugh even when we are tired or completely stressed.

  4. I got a B+ on my first History exam!
  3. In 6 days I will be in Harry Potter world with my mom.
  2. All of Taylor Swift's new songs are the bomb.

   

1. I know that God loves me and knows just what I need. I feel so good about that.

friendship defined

The dictionary has this to say about friendship:
"the emotions or conduct of friends; the state of being friends; a relationship between friends"

I think this definition is flawed and incomplete. Friendship is so much more than a relationship or a conduct. Friendship is so many wonderful things.

Friendship is support. It is showing up when it counts and going to watch lacrosse games, piano recitals, choir and band concerts, plays, shows, and performances of all kinds. It is giving a pal support in good times and bad and cheering them on in all their endeavors.

Friendship is eating together. Seriously, there is no greater time than sharing a good meal with someone you love. Food is such a cultural gem and is always bringing people together. And having common favorites (for example: Diet Coke)? That pretty much forms an unbreakable bond. That common love for some food (or drink) brings friends together and it's just really great.

Friendship is having common interests. It is loving activities, movies, games, songs, and places, all together. Common interests bring us all together and allow us to bond over something as simple as a television show or a song. 

Friendship is silliness. It is the refusal to always take each other seriously, because that's just no fun. Friendship is about laughing so hard you pee or cry or roll on the ground-- real knee-slapping laughter. It's about jokes and fun and craziness.

In the end, friendship is loving someone no matter what. It is sharing Christ's love with another person and never abandoning them. Friendship is love and I for one hope to embrace all of my relationships with this mentality so that we can grow as friends and children of God-- loving and appreciating each and every person in our lives and each and every day we are granted.

daily affirmation style.

So, SO excited that Sar is living with me for a few more days this week.
We have lots of big craft plans and it's going to be so fun.

In the spirit of Jessica...

I like my 2-hr delay after the super bowl.

I like my Malcolm in the Middle.

I like my crafts.

I like my Pinterest.

I like my Camp Tecumseh-inspired playlist.

I like my pizza (with stuffed crust).

I like my friends.

I like my teachers.

I like my drill.

I like my hometown.

I like my country music.

I like my Diet Coke.

Praise God for a wonderful, joy-filled day.

"Lots of prayer, make that your life motto"

Today was just a nice relaxing day. I watched some tv, started a new friendship bracelet, and did some shopping with mom. To put off my weekend homework just a little longer I decided to blog. The part of my day that brought the most joy was right at the beginning of mass. An elderly woman who is in the choir with me smiled as she slid into the pew and said,
          "Oh to be young and a teenager! Not an old grandma like me. A great-grandma! You know, I have 18 great-grandchildren! Lots of prayer, make that your life motto. Then you'll grow to be as old as me. Did you know I'm 92 years old?"

I said there was no way she was 92 (She really didn't look it!), but she insisted she was. I thanked her for her truly inspiring advice to pray often. I'm so grateful I had this encounter with this woman today. Little moments like that make me so happy.

In other news, I worked hard on a new craft with Sarah this week. After hours and hours it's finally finished.

time to cheer up

So I've been having a rough time finding joy lately. Between school, work, family obligations, and typical high school drama, the exhaustions and setbacks of everyday life have left me feeling a little gloomy. These song lyrics have helped cheer me up the past few days and have inspired at least a little joy each day!

Everyone’s fine if you ask them; like we’re pulling a fast one with our smiles

            -Jon Mclaughlin

You made my mind up for me when you started to ignore me.

            -Hilary Duff

I’m not the girl that I intend to be.

            -Sara Bareilles

Never mind, I’ll find someone like you.

            -Adele

You and me together nothing is better.

            -Adele

Just close your eyes. The sun is going down. You’ll be alright. No one can hurt you now.

            -Taylor Swift

Standing here, it’s all so clear. I’m where I’m meant to be.

            -Tangled

Forgive me first love, but I’m tired. I need to get away to feel again. Try to understand why, don’t get so close to change my mind. Please wipe that look out of your eyes, it’s bribing me to doubt myself; simply, it’s tiring.

            -Adele

I’m not the one who went and made a mistake- I wanna walk away too, but I want you to say you’re sorry.

            -Sara Bareilles

I’ll be alright once I find the other side of someday.

            -Sara Bareilles

new friends.

So happy that after tonight the fall musical will be over. It has been an incredible experience for me and definitely pulled me out of my comfort zone. However, it has also required a major time commitment, so I'm ready to have some more time to myself.

When the play began, none of my close friends were in the cast. I was pretty nervous about this at first, but it soon became clear that my fears weren't necessary. I made so many good friends in the cast and got to know people who I would never have talked to if it weren't for this show. I'm so grateful for all the new people in my life thanks to this musical and so happy that I've made new friends.

New friends really are so great. It's exciting to have new, stimulating conversation with people who are unfamiliar. I love getting to know people and embracing their quirks and personalities. It is so fun to learn about what makes a person unique and discovering how they are similar to you. Nothing brings more joy than a friend, especially a new one.

being dumped.

I think most people would agree that being dumped is not a fun thing. It generally really sucks, in fact. After a year and a half of what I thought to be the most perfect relationship imaginable, I was dumped. And man, did it hurt. For a month now I have been wallowing in self pity and refusing to move on or let myself be happy. I haven't thought about anything but this boy and I haven't even tried. I still have hope, you see, that he will suddenly realize what a horrible, horrible mistake he made and come back to me. This, I suppose, is somewhat ridiculous. I am no different than anyone else whose boyfriend goes to college. It happens to people every day. Hearts are broken, dreams are crushed, and people move on. Trouble is, I've been convinced that I AM different. That it couldn't happen to me. I realize that I was wrong.

Today during mass (church) at school I did a lot of thinking and a lot of praying. I've been praying all month and have gone back and forth between emotionally stable and crazy, lovesick lunatic. Today, though, I really prayed. And devoted all of mass to reflecting on how I've been acting and how I've been treating this boy. I haven't let go, and that is so unfair to him. So today I decided to let go. God has been sending me little signals and I have truly felt him saying 'TRUST ME!' all day long. So that is what I'm doing. I am letting go. Not giving up.... Not losing hope.... Not even necessarily moving on.... but letting go. I am trusting that God will show me the way to happiness and show me what is right for me. Only He truly knows what's in store for my future, so what else is there to do, really, except listen and trust? No happiness can come from ignoring what God tries to tell us.

I've waited my whole life for God to talk to me. I wanted to hear his booming voice and really feel his words. Today I realized that isn't how it works. You have to open your heart to God in order to really hear what he has to say. It doesn't come in a phone call or over a microphone. It isn't always loud and clear. But God's will can be seen if we all just step back and listen up. I had never done that until this past month. So I think that is the blessing in being dumped. I have spent so much time listening to God and just reflecting on my life and current situation that I have finally seen what He intends for me-- at least I am starting to see. The point being, I have found true joy for the first time in over a month. And I am so grateful for that. So glad that I had the sense, for once, to just listen and trust.

anticipation

My favorite place in the whole world is Camp Tecumseh. Yesterday I got to visit for about an hour to drop my sister off. I was so happy to run into these awesome people:

I love Maddy and Sarah. They are so fun and so great. They were both part of the best summer of my life during which I learned the true meaning of joy. I can't wait to travel back to camp tomorrow to see so many more fun people at staff training. staff training. It seems so weird that I will be on staff this year. I don't feel like I'm that old. But I am so beyond excited for this whole summer and I know it will be just awesome. Another Tecumseh summer full of 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.

visit some other blogs for more lists like these:

My Life (In Lists)

Overlap

As Life Unfolds

Defining Life

Life in Color

Live Today Well

Little Things, Big Joy