It is a bit overwhelming how accurate *this* blog entry (the 601th awesome thing from 1000 Awesome Things) summed up my year in 2009. Absolute verbatim.
I swear this website was designed for me.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
"The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows" - Brand New
Below is a Facebook note that I published on February 4, 2009. It contains 25 things that my friends may not have known about me until then. I recently decided to delete it because I realize it may have been a little too personal for me; however, this is the perfect place to post it so I can look back at it years later. It's also funny to see how much things have/haven't changed since February 4th.
"25 Random Things
1. Even though we get into arguments a lot, I love my parents so much and I'm so thankful for all that they have done for me. Most of the time, I get what I want, and they usually do it with no complaints. However, I can't recall the last time my parents told me that they love me. Maybe I just can't remember, because I obviously know that they do through their actions every day, but it would just be nice to hear it once in a while.
2. Although we're competitive, I'm proud of how smart my brother is. I love him and I'm going to miss him a LOT next year.
3. Knowing that everyone is going his/her own way next year, I don't let things phase me anymore. I don't let people's actions define who I am. I am trying really hard to not care what other people say or think. I am just really looking forward to getting out there, meeting new people, and just exploring.
4. Despite all my accomplishments in school, I never feel like I'm doing enough for my parents and myself, and sometimes, I wish that could be enough.
5. I can't imagine what it would be like to sit back, relax, and let someone else take the reins. I always feel the need to be involved, which is why I am involved in everything, which drives me crazy sometimes...
6. I've always been able to have a close connection with my teachers and administrators, and I couldn't imagine going through a school day any other way.
7. That said, I love going to a school where everyone knows my name, and vice versa. I love having the power to make certain decisions, and I love having the opportunities to represent the students in three different ways. I love my fellow class officers and how well we cooperate with one another and I'm so proud of all that we've accomplished! It's hard for me to grasp the concept that I will going to a school with at least 2,000 people... never mind, 22,000 people.
8. I'm afraid that I will never reach the level of my parents' success. My parents' success is definitely not the kind that the typical American would consider as "success", but in a way, they have accomplished something that I don't think most people would be able to do nowadays... inevitably because of the economic crisis.
9. I love having friends from other towns who I rarely get to see. The distance just makes everything more fun whenever we talk or see each other. I also love that I can nice conversations with them and know that they know exactly what I'm talking about, despite the fact that we're from different towns.
10. My four guy best friends are some of the very best people I've ever met. I can always rely on them to make me smile and laugh, and 99% of the time, I think I would rather hang out with them than do anything girl-related. Thank you RPV TLK MCL and BBM for always being there for me :)
(Having said this, I really miss the days when my other guy best friends were CWD, RWC², and SML and when we used to hang out all the time; love you guys forever)
11. In my opinion, I think AP U.S. History is the second difficult class I've ever taken. I always contemplated switching down to level one (even now), but I would rather struggle in that class than to have people disappointed in me.
12. I never had that one best friend when I was growing up. I wish I did.
13. I hate how I can remember the most pointless and stupidest things EVER, and not more important things, like information for an anatomy or history test... it drives me up the wall.
14. I'm ashamed that I don't embrace my heritage and be open about it more. However, I don't feel like my friends would understand it, or even want to understand it, so I just never talk about it.
15. I've been playing the piano for ten years. I still don't feel like I have accomplished anything yet, and I don't think I ever will. I can only play one song from memory, and I wish I could change that so badly.
16. My best friend and I don't have the same friendship like almost all the other best friends out there. A few days will go by when we don't get the chance to talk to each other, and we usually don't hang out. Regardless, I am SO grateful for the friendship that we do have, despite all the ups and downs that we have gone through. The rare times that we've had are some of my most favorite memories of all, and I simply cannot imagine having anyone else as my very best friend.
17. In all of the summers that I've had in my short life, the summer of 2006 was the best of all. I don't think there's a day that goes by that I don't think about the people I've met and the experiences that I've gotten out of it.
18. I don't think that most people would consider their boss to be their hero, but the person that I technically work for IS my hero. He is more of a friend to me than anything, and I love how genuine and caring he is to not only me, but everyone around hm. All I want to do is make him proud, and I hope that I can grow up to be the same person that has had such an impact on me.
19. A hug is the simplest gift that anyone could ever give to me, and sometimes, that would mean more to me than anything that could be purchased. I honestly mean that.
20. Out of all the friends that I have made, there's only one friendship that I wish I hadn't let slip away and one friendship that I wish I could rebuild to the maximum potential that it used to be... only a year ago.
21. The idea of just having the opportunity to attend a UConn Huskies basketball game, and wearing that navy blue and white, makes me so happy and excited inside. But who knows...
22. I live up to the "good girl" image. Last week, I recited a poem about a girl who just wanted to branch out and be a "bad woman" like all the other girls in her neighborhood, and my teacher said how ironic it was that I chose that poem since I'm not a "bad girl"... One day, I would want for everyone to stop thinking of me that way. I'm not saying that I want to be bad... but even so, I just wish people will be less surprised when I do something that's against the rulebook... i.e. when I skip a day of school instead of having a legitimate reason to stay home... really...
23. I love/miss every second of gym class when I got to be a gym warrior (especially in Ultimate Frisbee). Sixth period sophomore year & fourth period senior year will ALWAYS be my favorite classes ever :)
24. There is never a dull moment when I am hanging out with my girl friends. I love the fact that we're all so alike and so different at the same time, and I just love them all. (especially my G, because we think everything is funny, no matter how cheesy it is, and I love that about us :))
25. I am completely dreading the end of this summer... it bothers me beyond belief to know that the end of the summer is going to be here very soon..."
"25 Random Things
1. Even though we get into arguments a lot, I love my parents so much and I'm so thankful for all that they have done for me. Most of the time, I get what I want, and they usually do it with no complaints. However, I can't recall the last time my parents told me that they love me. Maybe I just can't remember, because I obviously know that they do through their actions every day, but it would just be nice to hear it once in a while.
2. Although we're competitive, I'm proud of how smart my brother is. I love him and I'm going to miss him a LOT next year.
3. Knowing that everyone is going his/her own way next year, I don't let things phase me anymore. I don't let people's actions define who I am. I am trying really hard to not care what other people say or think. I am just really looking forward to getting out there, meeting new people, and just exploring.
4. Despite all my accomplishments in school, I never feel like I'm doing enough for my parents and myself, and sometimes, I wish that could be enough.
5. I can't imagine what it would be like to sit back, relax, and let someone else take the reins. I always feel the need to be involved, which is why I am involved in everything, which drives me crazy sometimes...
6. I've always been able to have a close connection with my teachers and administrators, and I couldn't imagine going through a school day any other way.
7. That said, I love going to a school where everyone knows my name, and vice versa. I love having the power to make certain decisions, and I love having the opportunities to represent the students in three different ways. I love my fellow class officers and how well we cooperate with one another and I'm so proud of all that we've accomplished! It's hard for me to grasp the concept that I will going to a school with at least 2,000 people... never mind, 22,000 people.
8. I'm afraid that I will never reach the level of my parents' success. My parents' success is definitely not the kind that the typical American would consider as "success", but in a way, they have accomplished something that I don't think most people would be able to do nowadays... inevitably because of the economic crisis.
9. I love having friends from other towns who I rarely get to see. The distance just makes everything more fun whenever we talk or see each other. I also love that I can nice conversations with them and know that they know exactly what I'm talking about, despite the fact that we're from different towns.
10. My four guy best friends are some of the very best people I've ever met. I can always rely on them to make me smile and laugh, and 99% of the time, I think I would rather hang out with them than do anything girl-related. Thank you RPV TLK MCL and BBM for always being there for me :)
(Having said this, I really miss the days when my other guy best friends were CWD, RWC², and SML and when we used to hang out all the time; love you guys forever)
11. In my opinion, I think AP U.S. History is the second difficult class I've ever taken. I always contemplated switching down to level one (even now), but I would rather struggle in that class than to have people disappointed in me.
12. I never had that one best friend when I was growing up. I wish I did.
13. I hate how I can remember the most pointless and stupidest things EVER, and not more important things, like information for an anatomy or history test... it drives me up the wall.
14. I'm ashamed that I don't embrace my heritage and be open about it more. However, I don't feel like my friends would understand it, or even want to understand it, so I just never talk about it.
15. I've been playing the piano for ten years. I still don't feel like I have accomplished anything yet, and I don't think I ever will. I can only play one song from memory, and I wish I could change that so badly.
16. My best friend and I don't have the same friendship like almost all the other best friends out there. A few days will go by when we don't get the chance to talk to each other, and we usually don't hang out. Regardless, I am SO grateful for the friendship that we do have, despite all the ups and downs that we have gone through. The rare times that we've had are some of my most favorite memories of all, and I simply cannot imagine having anyone else as my very best friend.
17. In all of the summers that I've had in my short life, the summer of 2006 was the best of all. I don't think there's a day that goes by that I don't think about the people I've met and the experiences that I've gotten out of it.
18. I don't think that most people would consider their boss to be their hero, but the person that I technically work for IS my hero. He is more of a friend to me than anything, and I love how genuine and caring he is to not only me, but everyone around hm. All I want to do is make him proud, and I hope that I can grow up to be the same person that has had such an impact on me.
19. A hug is the simplest gift that anyone could ever give to me, and sometimes, that would mean more to me than anything that could be purchased. I honestly mean that.
20. Out of all the friends that I have made, there's only one friendship that I wish I hadn't let slip away and one friendship that I wish I could rebuild to the maximum potential that it used to be... only a year ago.
21. The idea of just having the opportunity to attend a UConn Huskies basketball game, and wearing that navy blue and white, makes me so happy and excited inside. But who knows...
22. I live up to the "good girl" image. Last week, I recited a poem about a girl who just wanted to branch out and be a "bad woman" like all the other girls in her neighborhood, and my teacher said how ironic it was that I chose that poem since I'm not a "bad girl"... One day, I would want for everyone to stop thinking of me that way. I'm not saying that I want to be bad... but even so, I just wish people will be less surprised when I do something that's against the rulebook... i.e. when I skip a day of school instead of having a legitimate reason to stay home... really...
23. I love/miss every second of gym class when I got to be a gym warrior (especially in Ultimate Frisbee). Sixth period sophomore year & fourth period senior year will ALWAYS be my favorite classes ever :)
24. There is never a dull moment when I am hanging out with my girl friends. I love the fact that we're all so alike and so different at the same time, and I just love them all. (especially my G, because we think everything is funny, no matter how cheesy it is, and I love that about us :))
25. I am completely dreading the end of this summer... it bothers me beyond belief to know that the end of the summer is going to be here very soon..."
Monday, January 25, 2010
"Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination." - Fitzhugh Dodson
My Goals for the New Year... (I know I didn't aim high... but oh well!) I will most likely be adding on to this as the year goes on.
1) Drive on the highway. I know what you're thinking. Pick up that gaping mouth and accept the reality. I have been driving for a little over two years and have not driven on the highway yet. To me, it's not really that big of a deal. I haven't had the need to go anywhere far that would require me to go on the highway... except for now. Next year, I'll be able to bring a car to campus so I will certainly have to drive to school. Also, all my friends that are juniors in high school have driven on the highway before I have... If that is not enough motivation, then I don't know what is. I need to man up and do it (hmm, this calls for a good post in the future...)!!
2) Complete 'Jillian Michaels's 30-Day Shred'. One of my best friends just started this last week. Although it is quite entertaining to watch her sweat and cheer her on (and laugh when she gives up... oops), I also would like to see if I can complete the full thirty days. I plan on accomplishing this goal starting on Saturday, May 9th. You heard me. Jillian Michaels, you've got nothing on me!
3) Become a better proctor. Now that I have been shown the ropes on what proctoring is like, I am definitely looking forward to this summer and being a better worker and a better role model.
4) Earn at least a 3.5 GPA for the spring semester. My schedule for the spring semester isn't doing me any justice. History, human bio, Seeking Wisdom, calculus (!?!), AND American Judicial System? This semester is going to be quite the challenge for me, and I will be extremely happy if I'm able to accomplish this goal. Everyone and their mothers know that I am NOT the brightest person when it comes to any type of math... so please, wish me luck.
5) Visit two of my best friends in Washington D.C. It has almost been a year since I have been to D.C., and I miss it terribly! I keep saying that I will visit them, but I will for sure visit them sometime this year!
"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." - Albert Einstein
"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." - Albert Einstein
Sunday, January 24, 2010
"You're only as tall as your heart will let you be. And you're only as small as the world will make you seem." - Nevershoutnever
I know a real post is long overdue (and I promise I will get to it!), but in the meantime...
I make it a habit to read PostSecret every Sunday morning. PostSecret is a blog where people from all over the world send in their secrets on postcards. Some secrets are extremely uplifting and others will make you want to reassess your own life. Every week, the creator sifts through the thousands of postcards that he receives and posts a handful of them on the blog. I feel for every single person who sends in his/her secrets to the website. I commend them for having the courage to share such intimate secrets with not only one stranger, but to the world. I only hope that one day, I will gather enough courage and confidence to send in my own.
In today's post, this particular secret was posted. Whoever this person is, I hope they know they are not alone.
I make it a habit to read PostSecret every Sunday morning. PostSecret is a blog where people from all over the world send in their secrets on postcards. Some secrets are extremely uplifting and others will make you want to reassess your own life. Every week, the creator sifts through the thousands of postcards that he receives and posts a handful of them on the blog. I feel for every single person who sends in his/her secrets to the website. I commend them for having the courage to share such intimate secrets with not only one stranger, but to the world. I only hope that one day, I will gather enough courage and confidence to send in my own.
In today's post, this particular secret was posted. Whoever this person is, I hope they know they are not alone.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
"Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one" - Brad Paisley (on New Year's Eve)
We are seven days into the new year and decade, and it's a little bittersweet as I look back and realize how much joy was brought into my life during the past year. From making the most of my senior year in high school to spending a summer changing kids' lives to starting a new chapter in my life at Salve Regina, it has been such an eventful year and I am thankful for every moment. Yes, there were some unfortunate and heartbreaking moments brought upon to my family, friends, and myself, but I must (and have) look above that and realize how everything could have been much worse. I finally understood that everything does, in fact, happen for a reason, and I can either embrace that or let it tie me down.
In 2009, I... performed (instead of play in the orchestra) in my first musical Footloose, attended a luncheon for receiving the Reuben & Lizzie Grossman award, cheered on my friends as they: went to the state semi-finals at the Boston Garden in basketball AND won the state championship in baseball, went to the State House for Student Government Day, attended a Jack's Mannequin/Matt Nathanson/Erin McCarley concert, ran the open 400m & 4x400m relay in track and was one second off of making states, received the most scholarships at senior awards night, ranked tenth in my graduating class, gave a speech (and cried) at graduation, went to a Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers game, proctored at PCC, said goodbye to my best friends as they all left for schools over four hours away, moved into Salve Regina and received a special scholarship, was elected to be an on-campus senator, and earned a 3.81 GPA for my first semester.
So regardless of the downs (as in ups-and-downs) of this year, which I will leave unmentioned, it has been a pretty successful year and I honestly believe it could not have been gone any better.
2010, what do you have in store for me?
"For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." - T. S. Eliot
In 2009, I... performed (instead of play in the orchestra) in my first musical Footloose, attended a luncheon for receiving the Reuben & Lizzie Grossman award, cheered on my friends as they: went to the state semi-finals at the Boston Garden in basketball AND won the state championship in baseball, went to the State House for Student Government Day, attended a Jack's Mannequin/Matt Nathanson/Erin McCarley concert, ran the open 400m & 4x400m relay in track and was one second off of making states, received the most scholarships at senior awards night, ranked tenth in my graduating class, gave a speech (and cried) at graduation, went to a Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers game, proctored at PCC, said goodbye to my best friends as they all left for schools over four hours away, moved into Salve Regina and received a special scholarship, was elected to be an on-campus senator, and earned a 3.81 GPA for my first semester.
So regardless of the downs (as in ups-and-downs) of this year, which I will leave unmentioned, it has been a pretty successful year and I honestly believe it could not have been gone any better.
2010, what do you have in store for me?
"For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." - T. S. Eliot
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