Just Think.

I figure one thing out, and then another unknown comes flying my way.  I finally have realized this is how life works. What should I eat? Who should I be friends with? What should I be when I grow up? Is this really a good idea? Decisions, decisions, decisions…

My mind is constantly in panic because of all these choices! I’ve had a constant headache for the past two weeks because I think way too much about everything. It doesn’t matter if it’s a big decisions or a small one. I always wonder, “How will this affect me later in life?” I want to do the right thing, but I don’t know what the right thing is. The last thing I want to do is be filled with regret, but I don’t want to miss out on opportunities because I’m too busy weighing the pros and the cons.

My gut, head, and heart always pull me in different directions. Lately every single decision I make seems like the wrong one. No matter what I say or do, my friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, coach, or boss will be unhappy with me I’m sick of it. I should be making decisions based on what I want to do and what I believe is best.  I need to find the balance of over thinking and not thinking at all. I have a brain, and I trust it. Hopefully people can learn to trust me.

 

16 Lessons

            There are only 16 days left before the school year of 2012-2013 is over. Only 16 days left of calling myself a junior.

            This year is a perfect example of how time flies. I have learned and experienced hundreds of lessons that will impact me for the rest of my life. Not everything has gone exactly according to plan, but looking back I wouldn’t change a thing.

            The biggest lesson I learned this year is that things won’t always be perfect. The best example I have is, 8 months ago my best friend moved away. This was one of the hardest transitions I ever had to go through. I quickly learned that things won’t be how they used to be.  With different time zones, new friends, and busy schedules, people grow apart and long distance relationships (of all kinds) take more work than I am usually willing to put into them. Other relationships are worth the work.

            I made a major change in my life when I joined the Beulah High School Cheer Team. Celebrating victory and victory again was incredible. Getting to know the football and basketball team and learning how determined and dedicated these guys were, inspired me to never give up until it truly is over. I’ll never forget all of the joy, memories, and tears I’ve shared with these people.

            As I turned 17, I learned what it means to be a true friend and how easy it is to make a difference in someone’s life. I took chances, like letting a complete stranger move in with me and opening myself up to different friends. Through this I have gained not one, but two new best friends. Others have taught me exactly what I don’t want to be.

            I know these aren’t all the important things that have happened to me, but they are the stories that have stuck out to me the most. My junior year has taught me to watch what I say. It’s easier to learn through other people’s stories than your own, and its okay to let go sometimes. Doing stupid things is part of high school. I know when my senior year comes, I will make a thousand more mistakes. I’m okay with that though. I’ll just add it to my list of 16 lessons and keep on moving on with life. 

The Typical Crazy Stressful Busy Working Teenage Life

“Ring, Ring, Ring”

I can’t be late today. I just can’t, not again. I run out of the school doors straight for the parking lot. I have no choice but to ignore my friends’ waves of goodbye. I drive straight to Tesoro.  Sprinting to the bathroom I pull on my black pants and visor. I’m ready and it’s only… 3:35. Of course, I’m late. I ignore the glares of the day ladies as I walk into the tiny back of Subway and punch in.

Not only am I late, but I’m also hungry. No, more like starving. There is no chance that I will ever get to eat until the supper rush is over. Sometimes I don’t even get a break at all. I guess stealing pickles from the bane will have to suffice for now. The hours go by 4,5,6,7. Seriously! Does everybody have to eat at Subway today? There has been a line out the door for three hours! I feel like a robot.

“What can I get for you?” What kind of cheese?” “Would you like the works?

 I have all these phrases memorized. I know how to make every sub by heart. This job isn’t hard, but I just want to go home.

 I can’t stop thinking about the assignment that is due at 11:00 p.m. I need to submit it on time. My grade cannot go down. It’s now 9 p.m., then 10. How am I going to study for the history test and get all my algebra done? Finally, 10:30, closing time.  I’m leaving. I speed home to turn in my online assignment at 10:59. What a relief!  Now time to study and teach myself Algebra. At last 1 o’clock a.m…time for bed. I can’t wait to wake up and do it all over again tomorrow.

Foreign Exchange

Ever since I was a freshman in high school, my sisters have abandoned me for the college life. I have been left in Beulah as an only child. I did not like being alone. The house was too quiet and I had no one to help me with Algebra. Something must be done. Then came my first encounter a foreign exchange student. A girl from Thailand needed a home and I needed a new sister. Bingo! I just solved my problem! A girl named Bam moved in with us, and although we were completely different and two years apart, we were best friends. I was devastated when Bam moved away at the end of the school year. I was an only child again. I completed my sophomore year by myself, feeling like something was missing.

This year, I had my second encounter with the foreign exchange student program. Again, a girl from Germany needed a new family and I quickly offered to be her host sister. It took some convincing, but my parents finally agreed to become a host family again. As soon as Emy walked in the door, I knew we would get along great. As the news reporter said, “We connected faster than magnets.” Emy and I are practically the same person from different countries. We are always laughing and having an awesome time. She has become my best friend.

Being a host sister can be a lot of work. It can be a lot of pressure knowing that it is up to me if they have a positive or negative experience in America. But I know the pros outweigh the cons. I have grown as a person from hosting two foreign exchange students. I have a better sense of culture and have made a difference in two girl’s lives. I will never regret my decision to share my family and my high school years. I have gained two amazing friends! If anyone is thinking of hosting a foreign exchange student I would definitely recommend it.  It is an amazing opportunity that I wouldn’t change for the world!

Kitty

Here furry! Come Furball! Stinky! Sassafras! Come here already! Kitty! She looks up from her designated pillow, lets out a quiet, “Meow”, then goes back to sleep.

My 12 year old cat, named Kitty is the cutest, fattest, and laziest cat on planet earth. Her day consists of sleeping, eating, laying in the sun, begging for food, and then sleeping even more. She absolutely hates being brushed and I’m still trying to recover from the traumatic experience of trying to give her a bath! She is constantly trying to lick my fingers, but just ends up biting them. She is so old that she is barely able to jump up unto her chair and walks with a permanent limp.  I’m honestly surprised she even lived through my years of being a toddler. I would pick her up by the neck and throw her into my baby carriage. When I got older, I always had friends over for my birthday party. Kitty would hide underneath my parent’s bed and shake while we all tried to pet her. Let’s just say, this cat has been through a lot.

Kitty is truly my best friend. While most girls my age are hanging out with their boyfriends or other friends, I have my cat. I can always count on her and she will never tell anyone my deepest darkest secrets. She is always there for me with her soothing licks and purrs of encouragement.

 

However, if you aren’t my dad or I, my cat will hate you. She is not afraid to hiss or bite any stranger that even looks at her! The only possible way of ever becoming friends with her is to give her ice cream, her favorite food.

Even though sometimes it is hard to live with such a princess, I love her. She is the best kitty I could ever ask for. So I guess you can call me a cat person, but in my eyes I am a Kitty person.

My Not-So-Secret Addiction

Okay, I give up. I admit it. I have a Facebook, Pinterest, Wanelo, Tumblr, Twitter, and MLIA addiction. I cannot go a day without these glorious apps. They make my life complete. I will never EVER be bored again. Facebook and Twitter keep me updated on what my friends are doing. Pinterest and Wanelo make me want to start planning my wedding and become rich. Finally Tumblr and MLIA let me know I’m not the only weird person in the word. What could possibly be better!

In addition to these addictions I also have an Unblock Me, Fun Run, Temple Run 2, and What’s the Word obsession. The only problem I ever encounter with these games is when my phone glitches out or dies. When playing these games all my worries go away. Nothing in the real word matters anymore.

Well…Ever since I got my new smart phone, I guess I have encountered some problems in my non-virtual life. I’ve noticed as soon as I pick-up my phone, time starts to fly! What feels like a minute, has actually been two hours. Although I’ve updated my status and beat two levels in Temple Run, I have yet to even start my school work. On Saturdays I will lay in my bed until the afternoon, because everything I need, I have in my phone. Why would I actually get up and do something productive in my life?

I know I’m not the only one who has this problem, but I do believe I am one of the few to admit to it. This problem is affecting my school work and my social life; however, I have no intention of giving up any of these social networking sites or games. The apps will remain on the home screen of my phone and I hope one day soon I will get more self control.

Cheerleader

“It might be the last game of the season. Make sure to cheer loud and be prepared to lose your voice. Ready? Okay, let’s do this.”

“R-O-W-D-I-E that’s the way we spell rowdy, rowdy. Let’s get rowdy! Woo!”

Toe-touches, big bows, intense games, long nights, and McDonalds. This is what cheerleading is made of.

The seven month season is finally over. I am relieved, but heartbroken at the same time. I will no longer have to attend three hour long practices that consist of perfecting our school song, starting lineups, and sideline cheers. The bruises on my arms and ribs can finally heal from the stunts that didn’t go quite right. And the elementary school will no longer have to worry about me spilling paint all over their carpet every time I attempt to make a poster.

This was my first year being a cheerleader and I have learned so much! There is a lot more to cheerleading than meets the eye. It takes dedication, a positive attitude, and a lot of flexibility. Because of this sport, I have met six amazing girls. These are the other Beulah High School Cheerleaders, but I call them my best friends. We can trust one another and always have each other’s back. That’s the unique thing about cheering, unlike any other team where there is about 30 students stepping on each other to become a starter, our squad can only have a maximum of eight girls. No one thinks they are better than someone else. We support each other, because we understand each other.

The thought of cheering gives me butterflies. There is no other feeling like being in front of a crowd, the passion radiating off the players and the excitement bouncing from the crowd. It gets my adrenaline pumping so fast I feel like I’m going to explode! I take huge pride being on the sidelines cheering for the Beulah Miners. We will always be there to cheer and support the team, even if they lose the biggest game of the season. Cheerleaders are the team’s number one fan (well after the parents).

I know a lot of people don’t have enough respect for us. Some think we get annoying and are in the way of their view. Others may have the irrelevant opinion that what we do isn’t a sport. This year I have been disrespected at every single game I have cheered at. People, especially teenagers, have ripped our posters down, cursed at us, have told us that we look stupid, and even have thrown rocks at us.  This used to hurt my feelings, but it doesn’t anymore. I love what I do and nothing will change that.

 If you are one of those people who decide to talk bad about us or tell us to move, just remember that cheerleaders are part of the team they are cheering for. We aren’t going anywhere. We are at the game for the same reason you are, to cheer on the team. Criticizing us won’t make us disappear and it certainly won’t help the team win.

I think cheerleading is one of those things that someone doesn’t understand until they become one. Therefore not a lot of people understand us, and that’s okay. I just ask that you don’t criticize us before you get to know us. Cheerleading is my life. It’s made me a more confident and determined person.  I have made six amazing friends and some of the best memories of my life. I can’t wait to see what next season will bring, but I do know one thing for sure. I have no intentions of letting anyone ever dull my sparkle.