A little bit of everything. [dedicated to my aunt chel for encouraging me to finally post on here]

I like to write. A lot. Ever since I was young. I went to preschool at Montesori and I don't really know how our time was schedueled, but when we had free time I used to write stories. I was too young then, so I told them to one of my teachers-Irene, and then she wrote them out. There was a sentence or two on each page so I could include lots of illustrations. My stories often included dalmations and houses. Sometimes even rainbow dalmations. With that being said I haven't been writing lately. I still haven't written a letter to Sarah Wright, which I have been planning to do. And clearly I haven't blogged for a while. A long while. So long that blogger has a new look. But unlike facebook, there is an option to go back to the old style. I like that. Anyways I almost let it get to a whole month without blogging once. When school started I was afraid this was going to happen. So today I am going to try to make up for it.

I usually write about my day, but so many have past since I last blogged. Instead, I typed out a list on a sticky note on my computer- a really cool feature that my lap top has. The list is really long and is by topic so hopefully I will get everything covered. And they will probably not be in any order but the order I thought of them.

Right now my fingernails are painted. Freshly painted in shrimply devine, which is a bright pink. When my nails are painted well (not chipped or clumpy looking) I like to do the ordinary things that involve my hands. Like putting in my locker combination and typing on a computer and texting on my phone and eating.

I have blogged about hanging out with Josue before. But now he is more than just a friend that I sometimes hang out with. He's now officially my boy friend. Since September 2. "It's just the beginning." (Even though that is the date of our official beginning together, we have been texting since we caught interest in each other back in February or March when we did a co-ed unit in pe. Finally, pe is good for something). He is one of my very best friends. He listens when I talk and he opens up to me and he is just so sweet and nice to me and he likes me as well. But possibly most important he makes me happy. And he brings a smile to my face. Also it is really nice that he plays soccer (and loves it and is so good at it) because he understands my sport and comes to my games and I understand his and actually know what's going on. And I like that after my games he carries my bag for me after my game and during school I like when we get to walk to our classes together. (3&7 and sometimes lunch. kinda). Not to mention, he is just so cute. It's the frosting on top of the cake.

I really like music. And noise and the words. Tonight I am on a Billy Joel kick. I just like him and his songs. Mostly decided I like songs that I know. And another thing about Josue. He made me a cd and it's just so cute. I love when people burn mixes of music that they intentionally complied on one playlist for one intended person. I also really like lullabyes. The idea of the is just so presh. I used to hope to marry a singer so he could write a song for our kids to sing them to sleep. But I suppose I could just always sing them a lullabye that has always been written. For example the one that Billy Joel wrote.

I like when I get the chance to be a rebel. I don't like breaking the rules usually. But when I get the opportunity to bend them, or go to the edge, I take it! Today was a kinda rebellious day. When Laci and I got to the highschool after health careers we realized we had activity period since it is Wednesday. So instead of going to homeroom, we ran back to her car and drove to mcdonalds. We ran in, ordered, ate our breakfast on the way back, and made it to CHS on time to walk with Josue to third period and not be tardy. Success. Then in third period I forgot my thumbdrive. So when I went back to my locker to get it I quickly drank the rest of my milk (not allowed to have food or drink in the locker area, even though everyone does. could be considered a rebel) and I quickly finished painting my fingernails.

I am generally optimistic, and especailly try to be on my blog. But while I'm in the mood, I just want to list a few things that I do not like.
1) Not having my own space. I do not like people walking in my room uninvited. I do not like people reading over my shoulder when I'm doing anything. Including blogging.
2) The freshmen class especailly, but also the sophomore class seem to have no respect for authority or upperclassmen. When I was a freshman there's no way I would questions coaches or talk back or give my input on decisions that the seniors make. Just sayin.
3) I can not stand when people have high expectations of other people, but do not keep their half. Example: one class I have an awful workload. And we are expected to produce so many essays and other big assignments on a regular basis. But the teacher does not stay on top of the grading. When she passes our work back, so much time has lapsed between when we get them back and when we turned them in that the assignments become irrelevent to me. Not to mention when they are passed back they usually just have a number grade. No comments on what we did wrong or well or how to improve our writing. Another example: when coaches expect us to be on top of things and do the drills right. But we get yelled at for doing the drill the way they explained it. I realize that sometimes it doesn't go the way it's planned and needs to be improvised. But not every single time with every single drill. It's just not fair. If people are going to yell at people, or deduct points, they need to be clear and specific for what they are looking for. Although with that said-I am not one to do a project just to fit the requirements to get a letter grade. I make sure I do them usually, but that isn't my main focus ever.
4) I don't like when people don't understand what I'm saying. Today I was working with someone on a project and I just wanted to do it my way- which made perfect sense and was organized and orderly. And everytime I tried to explain something the person just didn't get it. I don't know if they weren't listening or if they really didn't get it. Because they said huh and looked at me like I was stupid every time. And somehow it seems like I get this a lot. Maybe just my ideas and explaining of them are the problem. But either way, it's just really degrading and frustrating. But this is exactly the opposite way things are with Josue. Just another reason it's so easy to talk to him. It is lovely.

Okay. Enough of that. Now something that I really like. And have been wanting to write about on my blog all summer. MAGGIE! I love my dog so so much. And I am convinced that we are a lot a like.
1) we play soccer
2) we are built similar:
        short arms and legs
        normal length body
        strong
        let's just say there's a reason her nickname was monster butt at one point
3) we like to cuddle
4) we nap often
5) we would much rather eat treats/sweets than our normal meal food
6) we like to be around people
7) we like our backs rubbed/scratched
8) people say we're always smiling
9) not huge fans of the cold winter
10) we have dark hair, but white on our necks

For the most part, I am okay with school. I really like my health careers class and psychology class. Health careers is all about different medical jobs and medical terminiology. We have also had some really cool field trips: to chicago and the hospital and the christian nursing service. I love my teacher in both classes. Mrs. Guard is really sweet and funny and knows a lot and so does Mrs. Rainwater. If I had to describe her in as short amount of words, I would say camp T counselor personality. I love that class and everything we are learning in it. And I especailly like when things in the two classes overlap. It's just really cool.

Okay one last thing. Homecoming. Which is basically all of Friday Septmember 16. To school all of the girls that put a lot of time and money and effort into their senior jeans wear them. We are all very proud and love our jeans because of all the work we they demanded. It was so fun looking at all of the glitter and quotes and photos all over each others jeans. I loved that everyones jeans are unique, and as different as we all are. I was also really impressed by the number of girls that participated.

Friday we did not have soccer practice after school, and i wasn't going to go even if we did. Instead I went home and cleaned up my room quickly. Then Sarah Hutchison, a teacher from my mom's school, came over and worked wonders on me. She started out doing my hair, then my makeup, and even attempted to even out the tan line on my back. She was the perfect person to be around because she was so full of positive enegery. Lots and lots of energy. I loved it. And she did such a wonderful job.

In my dress epescially, the game was really cold. But those of us on the court took it well. We sat together in our designated area during the whole first half of the game. And shivered.

When the clock got down to five minutes we went down to the track. It was even colder down there, not to mention the end of the quarter dragged on and on while we waited anxiously. Finally. It was time. We were announced over the loud speakers and escorted down the track to the middle where the stage thing was. First the underclassmen attendents. Than Tiffany and Zuk, me and Michael, Morgan and Craig, and Britany and Ryan. 

I didn't want Michael to leave me to stand by myself, but he did like all of the other escorts. 

When the announcer finally started to say "and your 2011 homecoming queen is" I got ready to keep my smile on and congradulate the girl I thought it was. I thought there was one of us who had the loudest screams from the audience as she walked down the track. Plus I just didn't feel nervous or full of butterflies like I usually do when I feel like I'm about to win something. So i figured I had no chance. Than, to my surprise, he finished the statement with "Miss Maddy Demeter." I was crowned again and got another sash and was handed a big boquet of yellow and white roses. 

We scooted together and posed for a few pictures together on the stage.

Than Michael escorted me back to the end of the track followed by the rest of the court. 

There we posed and smiled and were arranged for many many more pictures. I was so honored and excited that it was fairly easy to keep the smile on my face for so long. I was also really happy to see all of my friends and family wait their turns just to get a picture with me.

Then the entire court had to go to the dance. We waited for a really long time for one of the escorts, because he is on the football team. When he got there we were lined up and announced. It was like the dance floor parted like the red sea and we had to walk down it. Michael and I went last since I was crowned queen. We danced to Someone like You by Adele for a while by ourselves, then the rest of the homecoming court joined in, and towards the end the rest of the dance floor broke out. It wasn't awkward at all like I figured it was be. And it felt similar to a wedding reception. As if the rest were our bridesmaids and groomsmen and we were the bride and groom.

It's been a lovely week[end].

This week was our first real, full, week of school. Yet, I still haven't found myself very interested or intrigued in anything I've really learned about. Maybe it's because I feel like most of my classes are still getting started. Or maybe because the one's that have started I'm just not taking an interest to. But next Wednesday my health careers class is taking a field trip! To Chicago. I am very excited about that! Especially because Hannah and I weren't going to get to go, but my mom talked to Mr. Barton and they got our soccer game that was supposed to be that same night, rescheduled so we could attend both!

As for soccer. Well it is going. This week our record dropped to 2-3. We beat Greencastle 2-0 on Monday, lost to Frankfort 1-2 on Wednesday, and Saturday lost by a lot to Cascade. (0-11 if you must know the exact amount.) We also had a set back when Hannah and I finally went to order our shirts and sweats, the company is not taking orders right now. I love playing the sport and love the girls on my team, we just need some energy and encouragement and some drive and desire to win.

I have been pretty sick for most of this week. I've had basically a cold. A runny nose and sore throat and cough and my body ached all over. Wednesday night after our soccer game I felt awful. I grabbed stuff from my moms, then went to my dad's and showered before I fell asleep at 9:30pm. I woke up in the middle of the night continuously. My dad took my temperature and I had a 102 fever, even though I'd been taking Tylenol. Thursday I stayed home from school and laid on the couch all day. I couldn't do anything. Friday I went to school, only because I knew my team would need me to play in Saturday's game. And I didn't want to get behind on school work.

Friday I made it through soccer practice somehow. Then for dinner went to Johnny Provolone's with my mom and Dan. Then we visited my grandparents. Afterwards Josue came over and hung out for a bit. I didn't go to the football game because of my cold. But had fun hanging out with Josue at home.

Saturday, after our game, Sarah and I laid out at my grandparent's for a bit. Then we got ready and went to Lafayette. Dress shopping. Friday at the end of the day they announced the homecoming court. And my name was on it! I am one of the four senior queen candidates. That was exciting too. I never would have guessed that. We looked at Macy's and Sears and Khols and Deb and no places had long formal dresses. We didn't think JC Penny had any either, but ended up finding a few in a different location. There were four styles and I tried them all on. Sarah and I narrowed it down to two and asked other people to vote. We chose the elegant black one over the sparkly purple one. And were both very excited. I also saw Tori, a girl I was a CILT with. She is always so smiley and bubbly and I gave her a big hug.

Before our drive home, Sarah and I stopped at Cinnabon to satisfy our taste buds. I got us home by memory from the directions my dad taught me the time Jacqueline and I went. And at one step I wasn't sure which road to take, but I must have chosen the right one because we ended up in Crawfordsville.

We went to Sarah's house and laid down for a while. Then walked downtown to the Lew Wallace grounds for the Taste of Montgomery County. There was music, and every kind of food and people imaginable. We talked to Doc and Mr. Monroe and Morgan & Darcy & Craig & Taylor and Jacob Surface and Robbie & Brandt. We talked to Robbie and Brandt with my mom and Dan for a long time. I liked listening to them talk. About my brother and about Wabash and about relationships. Girls of their past and how they start by impressing girls with the small things like opening their car door, then go big. You can't go all out at the beginning.

We went back to Sarah's where she got her stuff, and we got our cars. Then to my house for the night. We talked to Maria and my mom for a while. Before gathering up blankets and heading out to sleep on the trampoline. The stars were really clear and filled the black sky. We were warm under all of our blankets and sweats, almost too warm.

We woke up to the sun in our eyes and my mom letting Maggie outside. Then Sarah went home and I went to Clancy's to start on our senior jeans. I got my letters cut out and she got a few things painted on hers before it was time for her to go to work. We still have a long way to go before homecoming when we have to finish them.

I also tried to lay out for a little bit and even out the tan on my back, since the dress shows it all. I will have to keep working at that.

it's been a while

I haven't blogged in a really long time. What seems like forever. And I'm sorry and I'm sad. I'm just busier now I guess. And less disciplined. And take less pictures. But life is still happening so I guess there's things I could and probably should be writing about.

I'm sad that summer end, but school isn't going so bad. My first two periods is my health career class, which I really like. I'm a little bummed that the things we are starting to learn are so similar to the stuff we learned in Integrated health. But I'm so excited for clinicals next semester! And I love my teacher and the students and the doctor that works at the clinic building where our class is. The first day he came in and talked to us for a few minutes. The key points that I remember were to chose happiness and have a happy attitude and the amount of money that you make doesn't matter as long as your happy. And to not marry an idiot, even though most of us probably already know some. Third period I have honors english. Fourth period I have probability and statistics. We have 6 kids in the class, only one is a guy. Fifth period I have psychology, which I think I finally learned how to spell. And I'm so very excited for that class. The teacher and everything we're going to learn. Sixth period is honors gov with Gerald. And seventh I am in yearbook! I went from an awful study hall to being Mrs. Harm's stud ass, but decided I might as well be in yearbook. And she was thrilled when I told her, which made me happy too.

Soccer is going alright. We lost our first game to northview 0-4 on Tuesday and on Wednesday we beat Delphi 7-0! We still need some work figuring out what positions we all need to be playing, the coaches job. And some endurance and skills, but I think as a team we are doing well and I'm proud of us.

Today I went to church, which was a bilingual mass by the bishop. That was exciting. Then to the church picnic where I tagged along with the Raters family. Then Josue hung out with me and we helped my mom in her class room. And also I went to Sarah's for dinner. As did 15 or so freshman Wabash students.

Now I have to write a poem for English. That, like always, I have put off until the last minute. But I'm going to try to work to make it about my blog. So then I figured maybe I should take a few minutes and blog. Because I love it. And have missed it. And didn't mean to ignore it for such a long time.

All good things must come to an end

It is my last night of summer. Which is sad enough in itself. But I spent it all finishing my second essay for english homework. So my post that I was so excited to write wrapping up my summer must be postponed.

taking care of business

I started this list-making, errand-running, sun-shining day by bringing Sarah to her house. When I came home I ate Lucky Charms, my favorite, then proceeded to make lists. I started out making a to do list, then just kept going.

I finished reading The Things They Carried and typed out my ten quotes from it. I also did the dishes and dropped my dad's shorts off at the dry cleaners before meeting Hannah downtown. We went to Scaggs and got the prices for our soccer shirts and sweats which was much easier than either of us expected. While we did so, the two kids she babysits, their dog, and two of her siblings waited outside. They were so presh.

Then, I went to my mom's where I put my laundry away, got my school stuff and soccer stuff. Before going back to my dad's, I went to the double K (crappy kroger) and bought a gallon of milk.

I went to my grandparent's for one last pool time of summer. I sat and talked to my Grandma for a while, because it's been a while since I have been over there. At least we both felt like it. We talked about my new TOMS and soccer and the classes I'm taking this year. Then, I went down to the pool. I laid in the sun for a while, before jumping in. The water was chilly, but it felt good as it cooled my body. I got out, dried off, said good bye to my Grandma and left. I wish I had more time to spend both at the pool and with my Grandma, but I'm thankful for what I did have.

I got my soccer stuff ready as well as my school stuff. I went to the high school earlier than I usually do so I'd have time to put stuff in my locker before practice. This way I wouldn't have to bring it all on the first day of school.

For practice we scrimmaged the guys. It did not go as well as any of us would have liked. But it was good that we finally got to play as a team. Especially considering the fact that our first game is tomorrow! They guys scored on us consistently and we only got about 2 shots on their goal. I was hot, and probably dehydrated somewhat from laying in the sun. The midfield position was too much for me, and I know I did not help out the team as much as they needed me. After we were done scrimmaging, coach talked to us for a long time. I kept my head down the whole time, as he told us about all the mistakes we made. It was hard to pay attention to that kind of talk in the first place, but all that was really on my mind was how I couldn't wait to drink water and feel it inside of my hot, dry body that was so badly thirsting for it. When we finally were released for a drink, I downed almost my whole bottle. Only saving some because I knew I'd want it later. We went over pregame warm up stuff, talked some more, and practice ended.

I went home and showered. Than my dad and I went to a meeting for my health careers class. I am so excited for this class and the opportunities that come with it. I do not know if I will end up pursuing a health career, but I am definitely interested in the content and information. At least speaking from my integrated health class last year and watching House and other medical shows and observing my doctor and the athletic trainer at school.

I came home and napped for an hour. Then checked the pressure and put air in my tires. And made bow tie pasta for dinner. And I went to my mom's to get headache medicine. And I updated my blog- wrote about yesterday, added pictures from the lake, and am now writing about today.

Hopefully I will get a start on my essay for The Things They Carried before going to sleep. So that way on my last day of summer, which is so sad to say, I do not have to do it all. Also-it is the only thing left unchecked from my to do list that I made this morning.

I love my best friend. I love TOMS. I love eating. I love music. && I love blogging about it all and having lots of pictures.

Yesterday was Sunday August 14.

I woke up and walked Hannah out, but hardly remember being awake during it. I fell back asleep for a little while, then got up and got ready for church. In his homily, Fr. Dennis talked about being stubborn and being wrong sometimes. I tried really hard to listen to the connection he made, but didn't get it all the way, although I do know at least that it had to do with the apostles being wrong, but a woman's persistence saved her daughter from dieing? In the Gospel reading I think.

We picked up Sarah, and my dad, Maria, and I were off to do some shopping. We headed towards Lafayette and made it all the way to the Lindy Freeze for my dad to get an ice cream cone. Then, we turned around and headed to Indy. I still feel guilty and bad about this. But I guess there's nothing to be done about it now.

Once we got to Castleton mall, Sarah and I's first mission was to buy TOMS. TOMS are more than just cute shoes. They are a part of a one for one movement, so when you buy a pair it also purchases a pair for a child in need. I bought a brown pair from Shi and Sarah bought a brown pair from Journey's (even though the guy that helped us in Shi told us Journey's were all sold out and if we were lucky we could get a men's pair). Then, we brought them to the Style your Sole event where local artists would paint whatever we wanted on the shoes for free! It took us a while to decide what we wanted, but I got a sailboat and Sarah a flower. We left them there and walked around the mall while we waited.

Sarah was doing her back to school shopping and got 2 pairs of jeans and a pair of Nikes along with her TOMS. We also stopped at the food court and shared an Asian entree for lunch.

Then, finally, after about two hours, our shoes were done! We are both so happy with them and love them very much.

Before going home, we stopped at Michael's where I bought fabric markers and Joann's Fabric where I bought three different colors of fabric. All for my senior jeans.

On our way into town, Sarah and I read that Rancho Bravo had a mariachi band and instantly decided to go to dinner. We compared it to Little Mexico which we preferred food and service and decor wise. But the music was really funny. It was loud and hard to hear each other over. But the guys were cracking us up. Especially when Sarah pulled the camera out.

Sarah and I both had other plans, that for different reasons fell through. So we decided to hang out, and I'm so glad. A night with the best doesn't compare to anything else. We went to her house for a while and watched Keeping up with the Kardashians. It was so funny when her dad joined us.

Then we went back to my dad's with Emma and Maria. We played rummy and ate pop corn and played with Emma's ipad and talked. But then the younger two decided to go to bed because they wanted to practice getting up early for school. Sarah and I told them they're fools and we're all gonna be tired and worn out from school anyways. But we let them. And we were soon to follow, because it was a long day for us too. A long, exciting day. Especially without me taking a single nap!

I love this crazy, [magic], sometimes almost [tragic], awful beautiful life

I woke up, and after great debate, went to soccer practice at 9. We weren't going to have practice, but if we did one girl would be able to play in our game Tuesday that wouldn't have been able to without it. So practice was mandatory for her, and optional for the rest of the team. Five of us ended up going. Practice was just an hour and we practice taking shots and corner kicks.

I went home and slept for a little while. Then woke up, put gas in my car, and drove back to the high school. I sat in the parking lot next to Hannah and Amber waiting for Mary's van to pull up and pick us up. She invited the team to her aunt's lake house for the afternoon. We all piled into the van. Me, Mary, Amber, Hannah, Haley, Andi, Alex, Destiney, and Mary's two sisters.

Those of us who weren't wearing our swim suits yet changed in the shed one at a time when we got there. Then we got in the lake. As I walked into the green, murky water and stepped first on the rocky bottom then on the mushy, muddy layer I questioned why I was there, remembering my discomfort with lakes. When I got out to where the other girls were I sat on my noodle and hoped not to ever touch the bottom again. But soon we swam in for lunch and when it got to shallow to swim I had to walk and let my feet touch the bottom.

For lunch we had hot dogs from the grill, any kind of chips imaginable, watermelon, and soda. Her aunt Sandy, who reminded me of John Travolta's character in the movie Hairspray, kept pleading us to "eat the rest of the dogs." But one was enough for me. Luckily her threat to not let us on the boat until they were all eaten did not hold up.

Five girls put on life jackets for tubing. Two on the one you sit on and three on the tube you lay down on. The rest of us got in the speed boat with Mary's Uncle Joe. Mary's aunt, mom, and sister went on the pontoon boat. I really liked being on the boat, feeling the wind and sun hit my face hard while laughing at the girls tubing.

It was such a beautiful day, but we were one of the only boats out. We weren't complaining because it meant more lake for us. But there was one boat. With two guys on it that were wake boarding. The blonde one on the boat waved in our direction so I waved back. Then he started holding up different fingers. I'm not sure if he was giving me his number or asking my age or what. But before I could figure it out we were going different directions and it was too late. We took a few laps around the lake before switching places with the girls who were tubing. Mary, Amber, and I went on the three person laying down tube, but we ended up all getting thrown off. Mary first, then Amber and I followed because our weight was too far forward and we flipped the tube over. This would be the first of many times I fell off.

We all took turns riding the boat and going on the different tubes. Amber and I preferred the laying down one much better. The whole time we sat on the sitting tube we talked about how we didn't like it and didn't understand why the other girls did. It was just bumpy and water sprayed in our faces and we held on for dear life. So we switched in the middle of our turn. When we did, Amber jumped for the laying down tube, and right as she did it scooted away. Leaving her dangling as a bridge between the two tubes. It made us all laugh and laugh as we helped her reach.

One time I was on the side of the tube that was next to the sitting tube and got smashed by the other one, so I had to let go and fly off. Another time we went around the corner where another boat was. Again, I was on the edge, and got thrown off. I was so close to the boat that the girls on our boat thought I did hit it. The boat happened to be Mrs. Johnson's boat and the girls kept saying "ha imagine headlines in the paper. PE teacher kills student." Luckily, I did not hit their boat and did not get hurt.

Whenever we hit big waves and bounced on the water, or when we slammed into the other tube from our boat, or when Uncle Joe sped up, or sometimes for no reason I screamed. It was a shrill, high pitched scream that could be heard from far away. Mary was so surprised saying, "Maddogs! I would never have expected that to come from you!" When I screamed I really felt like I could feel the dangling thing in the back of my throat. Just like a cartoon character when they scream.

After many, many laps around the lake we gave the tubes to the pontoon boat and got out the water skis. Mary, Destiny, Hannah, and I all got a chance at them. I had never ever done it before, and impressed everyone including myself by getting up the very first time. I wasn't up for too long, but I did it! I got a second chance and did really well. I felt the burn in my thighs, but I did everything they told me to do. Bent my knees, kept my feet together, and kept my arms straight. I worked hard at keeping my balance until my lap was over and they told me to let go. It was so much fun, and I was so glad Mary convinced me to try it!

We tubed one last time, then went back to the dock. We helped clean up the food and the the floats and wrapped up in our towels and got back in the van. While we were cleaning up, their neighbors returned home from the Warrior Run. We all crowded around to see Garrett Bonk and listen to his mom tell us about the crazy course that he and his sister ran through.

When I got back to my moms, I packed up and headed to my dad's. Soon after, Hannah came over. We were both hungry and decided to go to Steak n Shake for dinner. By the time we were half way done with our shakes, we were shivering and full of goosebumps, but we couldn't let our shakes go to waster and ended up finishing them. The sky was quickly darkening and a storm was setting in. I really didn't want to, but I honored my dad's request and stopped by Little Ceazars to pick up dinner for him and Maria. From the time we went inside to the time we came out with our box, the rain started falling hard. We listened to Backstreet boys as I tried my best to see the road. I was so thankful by the time we walked into his house.

Hannah and I both french tipped our toenails and painted our fingernails bright pink. While we did so, we sat on my bed and had a deep, honest, heart to heart conversation. We talked a lot about boys and friends of ours. We talked about ex-boyfriends, and boys that we wish to end up with, and boys that actually care, and boys that were never any good but that we fell for anyways. Hannah and I talked about how we had been friends so long and how happy we are to be able to open up and have each other to talk to about anything and everything. So true.

We also worked on making a play list for our soccer warm up cd, discussing what to put on our tshirts, and how we think this season will go. Neither of us can believe it is our senior year. We have been through so much with the team and have so many great memories from the past three years. It's crazy that this is our last year, but we are both excited to get the chance to lead the team together.

We got out of bed to eat banana bars and milk, but soon got right back in bed (after putting pajamas on and brushing our teeth). Both of us had full, fun days, me at the lake and Hannah babysitting. We were tired and ready for bed, and it wasn't even midnight. But it felt good to go to lay down and get some sleep. Although, every time I closed my eyes I felt like I was back on the lake. Flying across the water and hanging onto the handles with clenched fists.

[I didn't take my camera on the boat because another girl had a waterproof one. I will upload many more pictures whenever I can get them from her.]

Much better. Improvement. Making progress.

This morning I woke up early, but this time not for aerobics! I woke up, got dressed in my bright lime green shirt, and went to the high school. Today was the day we put our training to use and got to lead freshmen orientation for the class of 2015. The big group talk and activities at the beginning flowed really well. Again, I was impressed by Mr. Melton and Mrs. Rainwater's ability to be so enthusiastic and excited about it and keep the attention of the freshmen.

Then we broke into our groups. I was excited that my partner was Nathaniel, also as we told our kids my locker buddy since fourth grade. At first we only had 4, but we got 2 added for a grand total of six. Sheridan, Alyssa, Landon, Tony, Payton, and Darsey. None of the kids seemed intimidated and all were eager and interested in what we had to say and the activities we did. I was really impressed, but mostly thankful that things worked out so well. I still thought of Camp T, although nothing can quite compare.

Maria waited with me during the debrief and cleanup so I could take her home. But I was really hungry and before we went home we took a detour to Arby's. I got the usual (with Sarah) a roast beef sandwhich, curly fries, and a cherry turnover. And Maria got motzerella sticks. We sat there and talked about how orientation went and who was in our groups.

When I got home I took a solid 2 hour nap. Even though I was on the couch and people around me were moving and the tv was on and people were in the kitchen, I slept through it all. Although, I was dreaming about what I heard on tv because when I woke up the words I heard matched the words from the Say Yes to the Dress commercial. Although I preferred the bride and the dresses in my dream.

After waking up I helped my mom in her class room. Yes more labels.

Then I went home and got ready for practice. Practice went pretty well, even though it made me realize that I'm still out of shape and need to work on that for my new position. But the best part, by far, was the deep pink of the sky as the sun set behind the goal we were shooting at. Now whenever I think of the phrase my Grandpa taught me, Pink in the morning sailors take warning, pink at night sailors delight, I think of Elizabeth Stratton. A real sailor that I actually know. And I plan on asking her if she's heard that and if it's true. I still hope that I will get to go on a boat with her someday.

When I got home I laid on the porch couch with Maggie for a while and read a little of my book. I am very close to being finished with The Things They Carried.

The rest of my evening I have spent finally actually blogging and catching up on blogging and it's felt so great and relaxing as well. I also added pictures to all of this weeks posts dating back to Sunday so that was exciting too. I'm sad that I haven't been taking as many pictures lately, but then again my days generally have consisted of napping and soccer. I also hung out and talked to my siblings, especially during the random sibling pow wow that occurred unannounced in my room.

I like days like these. Where I help people. And when I exercise. And when I get along and laugh with my siblings. And when it's sunny and warm. And when I have Maggie time.